By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

One municipal candidate may soon have to prove he lives in Fair Bluff.
Two Fair Bluff town council candidates have filed residency challenges against incumbent James “Jack” Meares Jr.

Chris Scott and John Wayne Phillips filed sworn affidavits at the Columbus County Board of Elections July 25. Both allege Meares does not reside in Fair Bluff.

The Columbus County Board of Elections will meet today at 10 a.m. to set a hearing date.

“I challenge the right for Mr. James Hubert (Jack) Meares to vote or file for any office or seat in the town of Fair Bluff,” Phillips writes. “Mr. Meares and his family reside at 359 Timber Cove Drive, Whiteville.”

Scott’s challenge makes the same allegation but is worded differently. He includes copies of tax records. “Prior to moving to Whiteville, Mr. Meares made his domicile at 965 Railroad Street, Fair Bluff,” Scott claims.

One tax record he provides shows the Railroad Street, Fair Bluff property is no longer listed in Meares name. The other indicates Meares owns a home at Timber Cove in Whiteville.

Upon refiling for his office this month, Meares listed 305 Conway Rd., Fair Bluff as his address and property records show he owns the home located at that address, in addition to the home at the Whiteville address. Meares has telephone numbers listed for both Fair Bluff and Whiteville. He could not be reached at either number Friday.
Scott cites a portion of G.S. 163-57 in his letter addressed to Elections Board
Chairman Jessie Graham:

“If a person moves to another state or county, municipality, precinct, ward, or other election district within this state, with the intention of making that state, county, municipality, precinct, ward or other election district a permanent residence, that person shall be considered to have lost residence in that state, county, municipality, precinct, ward, or other election district from which that person has moved.”

County Board of Elections Director Carla Strickland said under the law the board must hold a hearing because sworn affidavits have been filed. Under new state law adopted last year such challenges must be filed within 10 business days of the close of candidate filing.

The board must announce the time of hearing within five days from the date the challenge is filed.

A written decision is required 20 business days after the challenge is filed.