news-record.com

The Stokesdale Town Council has opted to go with experience in its appointment to the Town Council.

Lifetime Stokesdale resident Bobby Richardson was appointed Thursday night to serve the remaining two years of a council term vacated by Norman Cook, who resigned Aug. 20.

Richardson, a retired firefighter, served on the Stokesdale Town Council from 2006 to 2007, filling the remainder of a term vacated when Randle L. Jones was elected mayor.

He ran for re-election in 2007 but lost.

Richardson also served as chairman for the Stokesdale Fire District.

“When I spoke to council members separately, the consensus was to get someone with experience and who was respected in the community,” Jones said.

“That prevents us from having to go through the learning curve.”

Because Richardson has served on the council before, he is familiar with budget matters.

He was chairman of the fire district during the time the fire station was built, Jones said.

“So if the council does decide to go through with building the town hall, he’s experienced in budget matters as it relates to construction, as well,” Jones said.

Contact Tiffany S. Jones at 373-7157 or tiffany.jones@news-record.com