Crumpler gets the nod for Dist. 3 seats

Roseboro businessman Houston “Chip” Crumpler III is recommended by the county Republican Party to fill the unexpired term of Sampson County Commissioner Sue Lee, who vacated her Dist. 3 position earlier this month with two years remaining.

That recommendation comes on the heels of Tuesday night’s GOP Executive Committee meeting, where Crumpler and two others were considered for the seat.

The vote was in camera, according to Telia Kivett, chairwoman of Sampson’s Republican Party, a move outlined in the party’s bylaws. Two more nominees were also considered and voted on, all receiving a few votes. Crumpler, she said, received the most and therefore became the person she would recommend to fill the vacant county commissioner seat. Kivett did not name the other two candidates, citing status as the reason they should be kept secret.

“The candidates met with the committee and conveyed their initiatives and the platforms they stand for if selected to represent the citizens of District 3. Each of the candidates gave excellent interviews with all close votes,” she said.

“The committee has determined that Houston ‘Chip’ Crumpler III will be recommended to the county commissioners. Notice of our recommendation was sent to commissioners on November 27.”

Crumpler, vice president of Crumpler Plastic Pipe in Roseboro and a community leader and supporter of west Sampson, said he appreciated his selection.

In a statement to The Sampson Independent, Crumpler wrote, “Last night (Tuesday) I was truly humbled to be selected by the Sampson County Republican Party Executive Committee to be the person to serve out the remainder of Commissioner Sue Lee’s term as Dist. . 3 Sampson County Commissioner. I truly thank them for this honor and faith they have placed in me to serve the county and the citizens of the Dist. 3.”

In the statement, he also mentioned the other two residents of Dist. 3 whose names were considered. He did not name either candidate, but said both were “capable and worthy citizens” and noted that his own abilities made the committees’ decision to nominate him for the seat all the more humiliating.

“I truly thank them for their sincere desire to serve Sampson County and hope they will remain involved,” Crumpler wrote.

Although not listed on Monday’s Board of Commissioners agenda, the board, which will meet first at 9 a.m. at the Sampson County Courthouse for the swearing-in of the new district. 2 Commissioner Eric Pope and current Dist. 4, Commissioner Lethia Lee, could take up the recommendation before adjourning to reconvene for its regular 6 p.m. meeting that night. At the evening meeting, in the hall of the County Complex, the board of directors is also expected to reorganize, appointing a new president and vice president.

There was no clear indication of when Crumpler’s name would come up for a vote, a formality because by law commissioners must accept the recommendation of the outgoing commissioner’s party. But it appears the vote will be held Monday morning so Crumpler can be sworn in with Lee and Pope.

Crumpler will fill Lee’s unexpired two-year term.

In his statement, the presumptive new commissioner also offered kind words for Lee.

“I would also like to thank Ms. Sue Lee for her dedicated service to Sampson County as the first woman to serve as Chair of the Board of Commissioners, for her tireless work and service to the citizens. I wish her well in her future endeavours.”

Crumpler said he looks forward to working with the entire board in a “spirit of bipartisanship.”

“The citizens of the Third District can rest assured that I will vote on all matters with them in mind and in accordance with my conscience. They will always be welcome to contact me with their thoughts and concerns,” he concluded, “The people of Sampson County must come first and their tax dollars must be spent wisely. With prayer and trust in God, I promise to make these precepts my guiding principles in all the decisions I must make.”