Five former Southern Pines mayors are urging the Town Council to appoint former Gov. Jim Holshouser as chairman of the long-range advisory committee.

The council will meet Monday to whittle a list of more than 100 residents who want to serve on the committee to about 20. (The Pilot reported incorrectly in Friday's edition that the meeting is Tuesday.)

The former mayors -- Norris Hodgkins, Jane Clark, Alex Bowness, Mike Fields and Frank Quis, who left office in 2006 -- sent a letter to the town Wednesday asking it to appoint Holshouser as the chairman.

"Each of us, having known Gov. Holshouser for many years and worked with him in a variety of capacities, feels strongly that he is the most appropriate choice to chair the advisory committee," they say in the letter.

The council had previously discussed appointing a chairman, but seemed to be leaning toward letting the committee pick someone.

Holshouser was governor of North Carolina from 1973 to 1977. He has law offices in Pinehurst and Cary, and he lives in Southern Pines.

The five former mayors said Holshouser's leadership abilities make him the obvious choice.

"He continually demonstrates an unwavering dedication to Moore County's communities, and his leadership abilities are clearly unequaled," the letter says. "His vast experience working with and directing large, diverse groups, as well as his exceptional political and interpersonal skills all combine to make Gov. Holshouser uniquely qualified and the best choice to lead the committee."

Contact Matthew Moriarty at 693-2479 or by e-mail at moriarty @thepilot.com.