By John Peters
Editor
Patrick E. MacRae has announced he is running for one of three open seats on the Littleton Board of Commissioners.
The seventh-grade social studies teacher and 31-year U.S. Navy veteran is making his first foray into seeking public office.
MacRae, who lives on College Street, said he and his wife, Karen, moved to Littleton three years ago when he retired from the Navy.
He said his last Naval assignment was in Norfolk after he was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 5, and while the couple didn’t want to remain in Virginia after he retired, they did want to stay in the general region.
“We started looking south of the Virginia-North Carolina border and we found the house and the town,” he said. “At the time we weren’t necessarily planning on staying in North Carolina, but the people … the town … convinced us this is where we were going to be.”
MacRae said he’s visited town board meetings, has volunteered to do some work for the town, and is a member of the Littleton Lion’s Club and American Legion Post 425.
“I’m more active in the Lions,” he said. “That affords me the chance to do things that benefit other people.”
He said he opted to seek office for two reasons.
“First, a desire for community involvement, to be part of a town where we’ve chosen to live,” he said. MacRae believes his background and education enable him to bring new ideas to the table -– “Problem solving skills, interpersonal interactions, things like that.”
“Any small town needs people willing to do things, to work. This is just another way for me to continue to serve, like I did in the military. … rather than being a passive passenger, I’d rather be an active rider.
“I didn’t decide to run because of a hot burning issue that needed my attention. I ran because I wanted to be involved, I’m willing to work to help the town become better … Lots of people come to board meetings, say things, want this and that, but few are willing to do it.”
He also said he is running because he believes some on council are not there to represent the whole town, or to work for the good of the community on a variety of issues.
Although he declined to mention specific names, MacRae expressed some strong opinions on the subject.
“You should be there (on the board) for the good of the town, and not so you can carry your own personal grudge. Although I applaud the effort to resolve an issue, but the issue has been resolved.”
MacRae said he filed with the intent of not spending any money on the election, other than the $5 filing fee. That means he does not intend to purchase advertising, or place campaign signs around town.
“I’ll walk around town and talk to people, that’s how I intend to run,” he said.
He and his wife have four grown children – Sean, Matthew, Joshua and Colleen.
Two other candidates had filed to run as of Monday – Mark Murphy, who has not yet made a formal announcement of his candidacy, and Alfred Cooke, one of three encumbants whose seats are up for grabs.
The seats held by commissioners Terry Newsom and Clara Debnan are also open, and neither has publicly announced their intentions. Candidates have until July 20 to file.
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