Goldsboro council members are deciding who should be the newest addition to the city council.
Monday evening, the Goldsboro city council listened to presentations from the two applicants for the vacant District 5 seat.
The two applicants are Charles P. Gaylor, IV and Phyllis A. Merritt-James.
Gaylor says he intends to pursue a clean, livable, walkable city for its citizens.
He also says Goldsboro needs to position itself for development and investment as the city prepares for potential growth spilling over from the Raleigh and Greenville areas.
Gaylor says the city needs to manage the development of the Wayne Memorial Drive corridor leading out to the U.S. 70 Bypass.
Merritt-James says the challenges from COVID-19 calls for involvement and representation from all around the table and all segments.
She warns the city faces an affordable housing crisis and the loss of the positive programs for youth and teens.
Merritt-James says too many people have been priced out of housing here in Goldsboro.
Mayor David Ham praised both applicants, their presentations, and their ideas.
The Goldsboro City Council may appoint the next District 5 representative at its meeting on October 18th.
The District 5 vacancy occurred when David Ham was appointed to serve as Mayor of the City of Goldsboro.
The selected individual will serve for the remainder of the term, until the winner of the November 7, 2023 election is sworn in.
