The New Hanover County Republican Party nominated local attorney and
former planning board chairwoman Melissa Gott as a candidate for the
fifth open seat on the county board of commissioners Wednesday, Oct. 3, after 1
hour and 30 minutes of discussion during a closed session.
Ted Davis Jr., who served on the board for 16 years, vacated the seat in
September.
The leadership development committee had an extensive vetting process,
narrowing about 12 candidates down to one.
“Melissa was the top choice,” said Rhonda Amoroso, New Hanover County
GOP chairwoman. “She’s got excellent credentials.”
One nomination for county commission candidate Derrick Hickey was made
from the floor, she said.
“At the end of the day, we had two nominations and it went to a vote,”
Amoroso said. “We did hear from everybody.”
The county board of commissioners called a special meeting earlier on
Wednesday, Oct. 3, to review and consider the GOP’s nomination for the open
fifth seat on Friday, Oct. 5, at 4:30 p.m. The board members will then make an
appointment of their choosing and administer the oath of office.
The meeting will be held in the Harrell Conference Room at the New
Hanover County Government Center, located at 230 Government Center Drive.
“I’m planning on being there,” Amoroso said. “I’m just glad that they
waited to hear from us as they had to by law.”
She said she hopes commissioners choose Gott to fill the open seat,
but they do have the option to choose another person to fill the spot or leave
it open until Dec. 3.
