Spruce Pine Mayor Darla Harding, left, raises her right hand and recites her oath of office as Mitchell County Clerk of Court Janet Cook guides her and Spruce Pine Town Council members Jackie Rensink and Larry McKinney look on. Harding was re-elected as mayor this past November, beating out challenger Lori McIntyre. (MNJ/Cory Spiers)
SPRUCE PINE – The newly re-elected leaders for the town of Spruce Pine officially extended their tenure Monday, Dec. 9, by taking their oaths of office during the regular monthly meeting of the Spruce Pine Town Council.
Incumbent Mayor Darla Harding and incumbent council members James Acuff and Rocky Buchanan took their oaths and were sworn in during the meeting by Mitchell County Clerk of Court Janet Cook.
Harding, who has served as Mayor of Spruce Pine since 2015, was re-elected over challenger Lori McIntyre in this past month’s municipal election.
Harding garnered 218 votes (84.82 percent) compared to McIntyre’s 39 (15.18 percent).
Acuff and Buchanan ran unopposed for two seats. Acuff earned 185 votes, Buchanan received 180 and there were seven write-in votes.
In addition to the oaths of office, the council also appointed several other positions.
Councilmember Larry McKinney was unanimously approved as Mayor pro tem, a position he has held for the past two years.
Town Manager Richard Canipe was reappointed as the tax collector, council member Jackie Rensink was reappointed as the council’s representative on the Spruce Pine Main Street Board, Buchanan was reappointed to the library board and Lloyd Hise was reappointed as the town’s attorney.
Buchanan will serve as the town’s representative in the High Country Council of Governments moving forward in place of Harding, who was the previous representative but made a motion for Buchanan after citing potential scheduling conflicts for attending the monthly High Country Council of Government meetings in Boone.
Buchanan was unanimously approved as the representative and said he’d be happy to serve in the role.