What Happens If No One Wants To Run the Town?

No one bothers to run for office in a small NC town's election

Jul 15 2011

TAR HEEL, N.C. — The races for mayor and three commission seats are wide open in the small North Carolina town of Tar Heel _ because no one bothered to run.

No one has registered as a candidate for the fall elections in the Bladen County town. The story was first reported by WECT-TV.

The ballots will be printed with blank spaces for voters to write in their choices. But if write in candidates decline to accept the town could be left with no government.

Two possible write-in candidates are pictured above. One, a former politician, who now goes by the name of Jesbu, indicated he was only interested in kissing ass since his departure from politics.

Current Mayor Ricky Martin says he's not surprised no one wants the jobs. Even in a town of 117, it's hard work with little compensation. And Martin says state budget cuts mean the next elected officials might have to raise taxes. Raising taxes could get the next mayor and council persons' asses kicked, according to an unnamed source.

Tar Heel has experienced rapid growth since 2000, with the population increasing from 70 to 117, a 67% increase. That probably means a lot more mobile homes and a lower quality of life for everyone.

Tar Heel is home to the largest pork processing plant in the U.S. and also has 7 churches, which is one church for every 16 residents. But since half the residents don't attend church, that means congregations average 8 people. They could meet at a Starbucks or the Dairy Queen and wouldn't need a church building.

The 117 residents live in 32 houses. The town is a real dump according to county officials, most residents and all visitors.

Cynthia Shaw, the director of the county's board of elections, says it's the first time she has seen an entire town without a candidate. Stick around Cynthia if more Repubnicans are elected.