Hampstead voters to choose who will run town

PENDER COUNTY — People voting for Hampstead to become a bona fide town will also get the chance to vote for who will run it come November.

A five-member interim city council would take the helm if the incorporation bill is passed.

Proponents of incorporating to town status say it would allow for better zoning and planning, but its estimated property taxes would rise to 11 cents per $100 of property value.

The interim council would include Joseph Kimel, Ellery Murphy, Gary Poirier and Jack Swann. The four would choose the fifth member and be in charge until the next town municipal elections in 2009.