Jimmie C. Silver announced his candidacy for the District 1 Halifax County Board of Commissioners seat currently held by Carolyn Johnson.

Johnson announced during Monday’s board meeting that she would not seek another term.

District 1 represents the western area of the county, specifically Enfield, Hollister, Medoc and Littleton.

“I believe the best way I can serve my community and county is to become your next county commissioner. I have a history of community and veterans service.”

Some of these services include serving as vice commander of American Legion Post 38 and nearly 20 years of service on the North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union Advisory Board and Loan Review Committee. 

He was recently appointed to the Halifax Crimestoppers Board and is a member of North Carolina Troopers Association. He is also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Silver serves on the Eva Clayton Rural Food Institute Committee and the Halifax County Zoning Board.

He said growing up in rural Halifax County and attending the local schools is a factor to understanding the needs of District 1. “As your next county commissioner I will ensure rural communities' needs and interests are not forgotten. I will also support progress and development in Roanoke Rapids and the other local municipalities. I believe that tourism and agritourism is an important part of economic development.”

He said the role of county commissioners was vital in keeping “our county strong during the COVID crisis.”

On Johnson, he said, “I applaud Commissioner Carolyn Johnson on her service to Halifax County. I have had numerous conversations with Commissioner Johnson regarding her service as county commissioner. Her husband, the late Horace Johnson was a friend and a man I looked up to for his determination to be the first minority to represent our community. “Commissioner Horace Johnson believed in himself and more importantly he believed in people and the future of Halifax County. I believe in people and that Halifax County is a good place to live and work.”

 A regular attendee of county commissioner meetings, “I recognize that our current commissioners have made great progress regarding water and sewage. The current commissioners are making progress with internet connectivity and infrastructure expansion.” 

He said Silver believes the continued improvement philosophy should be applied to economic development and infrastructure plans. “I believe internet connectivity installations need to be expedited.”

Silver was raised in the Ita community where he now resides with his wife Terri Hedgepeth Silver and daughter Elizabeth. His oldest daughter India resides in Nashville with his two grandchildren — Emory and Ivy. “Me and my family believe in public service. Both of our daughters work for the school system — one is a guidance counselor and the other is a teacher. My wife Terri retired from the mental health field.”

He said, “My upbringing in Halifax County has given me an appreciation for our county’s many resources from farmland, wildlife and recreational areas such as Lake Gaston and an appreciation for being home of the Haliwa Saponi Indian Tribe — one of the eight North Carolina recognized tribes. I believe that Halifax County has so many opportunities for growth. I believe that the Halifax County commissioners need a veteran to better represent the county veterans. 

“I believe that my military experience as well as my professional experience will be instrumental in guiding me in my decision-making. As your next county commissioner I will support public safety, public health, mental health and school infrastructure projects throughout the county and city. I don’t believe in higher taxes. I believe good leadership and more collaboration with the private sector is how we further improve Halifax County. “

Silver is an U.S. Army veteran who served in the Gulf War.

He graduated from Northwest Halifax High School and attained a degree in Criminal Justice from Nash Community College. Silver is also a graduate of the North Carolina State University, Administrator Officer Management Program. 

His life’s work has been in public service to the nation, state, and community. 

Silver retired from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol with the rank of district first sergeant. As a member of the Haliwa Saponi Indian Tribe he was elected to the tribal council. 

In 2018, he served as the interim tribal administrator managing daily operations, planning, and budgeting.