Candidate filing for Dare County’s non-partisan municipal elections in November begins on Monday at 8:30 a.m. and closes on July 18 at noon. Two offices will be contested in Southern Shores, those of mayor and a Town Council member, each of which has a four-year term.
The terms of Mayor Elizabeth Morey and Town Councilwoman Paula Sherlock, who were elected in November 2021, are expiring. Neither has announced she is running for reelection, but we would expect each to do so.
Four years ago, Mayor Morey, who was then serving on the Town Council, filed her candidacy for mayor on the first day of the filing period. Ms. Sherlock filed on the last day.
Unlike in Duck, where the terms of all five Town Council members expire in the same year, Southern Shores staggers the terms of its five Council members, electing two, including the mayor, in one election and the other three in an election two years later.
Any person who is at least 21 years old, registered to vote in North Carolina, and qualified to vote in the municipality in which he/she runs for office as of the date of an election may file a Notice of Candidacy, with the requisite fee, with the Dare County Board of Elections in Manteo.
For more information about candidacy filing, see the N.C. State Board of Elections at https://www.ncsbe.gov/candidates/filing-candidacy, or call the Dare County BOE at (252) 475-5000.
THE TOWN COUNCIL will hold its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., in the Pitts Center—a week later than usual because of the Independence Day holiday.
You may access the meeting agenda and packet at https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/soshoresnc-pubu/MEET-Packet-266519ef3917482a9e49ed3bcecdd8a9.pdf.
According to the agenda, Town Manager Cliff Ogburn will give an update on the 2027 beach nourishment project, and the Town Council will make three Planning Board appointments and one appointment to the Historic Landmarks Commission.
The three-year term of Planning Board member Tony DiBernardo, who has served as vice-chairperson, has expired, and he has elected not to seek another term. First Alternate Michael Zehner will be appointed to Mr. DiBernardo’s seat, and Second Alternate Charles Ries will be elevated to First Alternate.
Two members of the community have submitted applications for appointment to the Second Alternate’s position. They are Natalie Painter and Richard Filling. Planning Director Wes Haskett has submitted their applications to the Town Council, without recommendation, asking it to choose.
Planning Board member Jan Collins’s three-year term expired June 30. She has requested re-appointment for another term.
Mr. Haskett has recommended the appointment of Jennifer Adams-Falconer to the Historic Landmarks Commission to fill a vacancy created when Commission member Michael Guarracino resigned on May 17. Ms. Adams-Falconer’s term would begin immediately and expire Dec. 6, 2027.
There is still a vacancy for an alternate on the HLC. If you are interested in serving, you must submit to the Town, c/o Mr. Haskett, a board volunteer application, which you find here: https://www.southernshores-nc.gov/media/4936.
We will report on the highlights of the Town Council meeting.
BY THE SOUTHERN SHORES BEACON, 7/5/25
The Southern Shores Beacon 