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Councilman unseats veteran in Conover mayoral race

By Sarah Newell Williamson | Hickory Daily Record

Published: November 4, 2009

CONOVER - Councilman Lee Moritz Jr. unseated longtime Mayor Bruce Eckard in Tuesday's election.

Moritz defeated Eckard by 55 votes.

"I'm excited. I'm honored and humbled at the same time, and thankful that the citizens put their trust in me to move Conover forward," the mayor-elect said.

Moritz, 52, has served on Conover City Council for one term, and on the Conover planning board for 10 years. He said he decided to run for mayor because he felt he had the experience necessary to do the job.

Moritz has worked for 23 years with Gold Toe Moritz, and is a retired Army lieutenant colonel, with 21 years' active duty in the National Guard.

"I love the city, and I have the abilities, through my skills in business and leadership with my military career, to put together plans and execute them," Moritz said. "I had it in the back of my mind that I would like to have the chance to do this. My love for this city runs deep."

Moritz said he looks forward to getting started with a new council, with two new members.

"There are three members that I already trust, and there are two new members who, through this campaign, I can see they have the same love for the city and compassion as the rest of us," he said. "It's important for us to gel as a team, have spirited debates, but move forward together in one direction."

Moritz said he was thankful for Eckard's long service to the city, as well as Johnny Brown's.

Brown ran for re-election to city council and lost to Joie Fulbright and Jan Herman. Brown served for 16 years on the planning board and four years on city council.

Eckard was gracious in defeat.

"It was a good campaign. It was close all the way through," he said. "I'm not disappointed in myself. I'm disappointed for my supporters."

Eckard said he was glad to have served Conover for 24 years.

"I enjoyed my time serving Conover," he said.

Conover City Council

When Joie Fulbright saw the final precinct tally at the board of elections, he let out a whoop and gave a friend a big hug.

"I've been waiting for this for two years," he said.

Fulbright first ran for Conover City Council in 2007. He lost by 57 votes.

"I knew if I didn't win this time, it would be my last time," he said.

Fulbright, 60, campaigned harder.

He attended city council meetings, planning board meetings, held potluck dinners for senior citizens and placed flowers with flyers about himself in 500 mailboxes.

"It's my town, and I want to give back," Fulbright said. "I'm excited to come work for the city of Conover."

The other new member of Conover City Council is Jan Herman. A retired middle school teacher, Herman, 62, said she wanted to run for city council because she felt like she could do the job well.

"I was on the planning board, and I thought I would make a good public servant," Herman said.

Like Fulbright, she campaigned hard, with pictures, signs, mailings and T-shirts. On Election Day, Herman was up at 5 a.m. so she could be sure she hit the polling places all day.