Fiorillo, VonCanon Take Seats on Planning Board

Harry Huberth stepped down as chairman of the Moore County Planning Board Thursday night, and two new members -- both familiar faces -- were sworn in as the newest members of the board.

Kim VonCanon and Nancy Roy Fiorillo were sworn in as the newest members of the Planning Board. Clerk of Court Katherine Graham administered the oath of office near the end of a lengthy board meeting in the historic courthouse in downtown Carthage.

Misty Randall, a member of the county attorney's staff, then acted as presiding officer for election of a vice chairman to serve until the Board of Commissioners can officially appoint a successor to Huberth.

VONCANON -- On a motion by Dave Kinney, the board voted unanimously to elect VonCanon as vice chairwoman, succeeding Terry Bryant, who rotated off the board at the February meeting.

Fiorillo was appointed to succeed Bryant, VonCanon, to succeed Huberth.

Planning Board bylaws require the commissioners to appoint the chairman and board members to elect their own vice chairman.

VonCanon previously served two terms on the board before rotating off.

Fiorillo, a former county planning director, is also a familiar face in planning circles, . Now retired, she lives in Pinehurst with her husband. Her last planning position was that of Cumberland County planning director.

DEM PRECINCTS -- Five Democratic precincts did not hold precinct meetings as scheduled and now must schedule make-up meetings.

Moore County Democratic Party Chairman George H. Wilson Jr. says the five either were unable to meet at the designated times or did not have the required quorum when the meeting was held.

The precincts were identified as Robbins, Knollwood, Pinebluff, Eastwood, and Pinehurst B2.

Robbins has already scheduled its meeting for Tuesday, March 13, at 7 p.m. at Elise Middle School.

Wilson says the other precincts will make reorganizational efforts in the next few weeks. Registered Democrats from these precincts are asked to contact Carolyn McDermott, first vice chairwoman of the County Executive Committee at 948-9996 or Wilson at 947-1725 to express interest and to help in this reorganizational effort.

Precinct members are asked to elect officers and delegates to the county convention to be held Saturday, April 14.

EDWARDS -- Former Sen. John Edwards has the support of all seven Democratic members of North Carolina's congressional delegation, according to the Under the Dome column in the Friday edition of The News & Observer of Raleigh.

Edwards has launched another campaign for the presidential nomination.

"The North Carolina delegation unanimously supports John's candidacy, because we know his character, leadership ability and commitment to our country," Congressman David Price said in the column. Price is the delegation's senior Democrat.

Edwards, whose parents live in Robbins, was Sen. John Kerry's vice-presidential running mate in their unsuccessful 2004 bid for the top offices in the land.

Florence Gilkeson can be reached at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.