Conover councilman to run for mayor

Incumbent will face his first challenger since initial win in 1989

By: Dee Henry | Hickory Daily Record
Published: July 03, 2009

CONOVER --

The man at the helm of Conover may face an opponent for the first time in his 20-year tenure.

Councilman Lee Moritz Jr., who is finishing his fourth year on the board, said he will file to run for mayor Monday morning when the Board of Elections opens the filing period for the November municipal elections. Moritz will more than likely face incumbent Bruce Eckard, who is completing 20 years as mayor.

Eckard has been unopposed since he defeated incumbent Harvey Hawn in 1989.

Eckard served as a council member for four years. He was elected in 1985. He did have an unsuccessful write-in opponent in the 2005 election.

However, Eckard said that, as of Thursday, he had not decided whether to run again this year.
"But right now, I think I will," he said.

As for the possibility of competition, he remains unfazed.

"That's what it's all about, free and fair elections. Let the people decide," Eckard said.

Moritz said he has put a lot of thought into his decision and has been prodded by several people to run for mayor rather than keep his council seat, which is also up for grabs during the 2009 election. He has served on the council since 2005, the same amount of time Eckard had served before he ran against Hawn and won.

Moritz served 10 years on the city's planning board before being elected to the council.

Moritz, who works in executive sales at GoldToeMoretz, said while he doesn't have any bad feelings toward Eckard, he thinks it's time for a new leader.

"I do not intend to overhaul what the mayor or past councils have accomplished," he said. "I do believe, however, that we have an opportunity to embrace new ideas, involve fresh citizen input and position the community for greater things."

In addition to Eckard's and Moritz's seats, Mayor Pro tem Johnny Brown's seat is also up for re-election.

The election includes other municipalities. Hickory will have its mayoral position, currently held by Rudy Wright, and the council seats of Z. Ann Hoyle, Sally Fox and Jill Patton on the ballot.

Three members of the Newton City Council — Roy Johnson, Al Gaither and Mayor Pro tem Anne Stedman — will be up for re-election this year.

Brookford and Claremont will have elections for mayors and two council members. Catawba has two council seats open and Maiden has its mayoral and three council terms expiring.

The filing period begins at 8 a.m. Monday and lasts until noon Friday, July 17.

The election will be Tuesday, Nov. 3.