Concerns about public safety and expected population growth are fueling interest in the elections in the Town of Spring Lake.

There are ten people vying for the five seats on the Board of Aldermen:

James Christian
Richard P. Higgins
Napoleon Hogans
Debora Johnson-Hudson
Winford Lee
Nellie L. McCoy
James P. O’Garra
Luis A. Santiago
Tammy Stephens
Fredicka Sutherland

There are three candidates for mayor:

Ethel T. Clark
D.S. Ellis
Jackie Jackson

Tuesday night, the candidates-with the exception of Winford Lee, who had a scheduling conflict, participated in a forum that was open to the public at Spring Lake Middle School. The students prepared and asked questions concerning transportation, growth, and public safety.

Spring Lake is in the process of trying to rebuild and reinstate its police department, after a judge stripped it of most of its powers after the arrests of two senior officers on a variety of charges. Since then, the town has contracted with the Cumberland County Sheriff to have deputies patrol within town limits.