I love living in East Spencer, but we need change.

The water rates are too high. There isn’t a middle or high school. There are neither basic businesses such as restaurants and grocery stores nor are there areas to socialize such as a recreation center, bar, library or pool.

I, Tyra Carter, endorse my husband, Travis Carter, for alderman of the unexpired term of Otis Gibson as well as Shawn Rush for alderman and Tony Hillian for mayor.

They share Travis’s “Make It Happen” goal of lowering the water rates, creating jobs and making the community better.

I’ve seen first-hand the work Travis has done for East Spencer in the almost three years we’ve lived here. He’s gone to many meetings and has spoken to many people in his attempt to get the water rates lowered. He fought for a town cleanup day and used our personal truck to pick up trash. He even walks around town when he can and picks up trash. He attends many council meetings, is on the Planning Board and has a civil engineering degree from UNC Charlotte.

Shawn is an effective leader, businessman and marketer. He helps the community in any way he can and cares about the youth of the community because he knows that they are our future. He is effective at delegating tasks so that he can maximize his reach, and he helps so many with his work with Ambitiouz Minds, Meals on Wheels, Team Up Tuesday, Man Up Monday and various other works.

Tony is a wonderful member of the community and does a great job of emceeing at town events. As a current town alderman, he always asks important questions and ensures that he fully understands what is going on so that he can best serve the town.

— Tyra Carter

East Spencer