Following an extended absence to care for an ailing daughter, Moore County Board of Commissioners' candidate Ellen Marcus is returning to the campaign trail.

"I'm ready to start back," said Marcus from her home in Pinehurst. "I just gave a talk in Jackson Springs, I've been canvassing, and I'm ready to resume plans to do a campaign walk through Moore County that I had originally intended for this past June."

Marcus is challenging incumbent Republican County Commissioner Nick Picerno in the Nov. 6 election. Picerno, finishing his first four-year term, has served as board chairman previously and has taken a lead role in the board's budget and other financial matters.

Marcus has said she is running to "enhance education, address the county s water needs, and promote smart growth to maintain the quality of life in Moore County."

"I like knocking on doors better than making calls, because I want to know the people of Moore County better and hear what they have to say," she said. "In my upcoming walk, I will start in north Moore and progress to Thunder Road (in southern Moore.) I plan to set up stops along the way in order to discuss county water issues and whatever else the people of Moore County want to talk about."

When her daughter became ill, Marcus said she had considered dropping out of the race, but her 9- and 12-year-old daughters urged her to remain.

"My daughter is doing really well," she said. "She came home four days after open heart surgery and is now back in school. I can't get over how well she is doing."

Voters will have a chance to talk to candidates and query them during a candidates' debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters on Oct. 11. The event takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Pinehurst Village Assembly Hall in Pinehurst.

Contact John Lentz at (910) 693-2479 or jlentz@the pilot.com.