HOPE MILLS — It was a night of celebration, transition, and recognition as Hope Mills swore in its newly elected Board of Commissioners and paid tribute to those stepping down.
Reelected Mayor Jessie Bellflowers was sworn in by Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Robbie Hicks. Bellflowers then oversaw the transition of power as newcomers Cynthia Hamilton, Grilley Mitchell, Hope Page, and Lisa Tremmel joined returning Commissioner Bryan Marley on the dais. They replaced outgoing Mayor Pro Tem Kenjuana McCray and Commissioners Joanne Scarola, Elyse Craver, and Jerry Legge. Scarola was absent due to illness, Bellflowers noted.
Hope Page, who received the most votes in the election, was unanimously selected by the board as the new mayor pro tem.
“This is not about me—it’s about everybody in our town,” Page said. “That’s my plan: to continue to work for the citizens of Hope Mills.”
Commissioner Bryan Marley, reelected to his sixth term, has now served the town for more than 10 years. When asked what advice he would give his younger, first-term self, Marley replied: “You’re not going to change the world in one meeting. Just vote your conscience, vote your heart, and do what’s best for the town. That’s what I had to learn.”
Newcomer Cynthia Hamilton, beginning her first term, said she was humbled by the outgoing board’s accomplishments. “I have some big shoes to fill,” she said. “I was really impressed—especially with Dr. McCray. I didn’t realize how much they accomplished.”
Outgoing Members Recognized
Each departing board member received a plaque from the town, as well as the Cumberland County Crest Award, presented by County Commissioner Chair Kirk deViere. Fellow County Commissioner Henry Tyson also was in attendance for the awards.
Mayor Pro Tem Kenjuana McCray, who served from 2019 to 2025, received the town’s highest honor: a key to the city, presented by Town Manager Chancer McLaughlin.
Before accepting the award, McCray said with a laugh, “My parents aren’t here tonight, but they told me not to do the ugly cry.” She thanked God for the opportunity to serve and her family for their unwavering support throughout her campaigns.
Former Mayor Jackie Warner and outgoing Commissioner Jerry Legge were both awarded North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, signed by Gov. Josh Stein.
Former state Rep. John Szoka (District 45) presented the award to Warner, who served as mayor for 12 years and was instrumental in securing the largest funding package in town history as well as the restoration of the town’s dam and lake.
“I love Hope Mills. This is quite an honor,” Warner said.
Current state Rep. Frances Jackson (District 45) presented the award to Legge.
“I thought it was fitting to have the former representative present to Mayor Warner and our current representative present to Commissioner Legge,” Bellflowers explained.
An emotional Legge said he hadn’t expected the recognition. “It’s not anything new for someone in Hope Mills to get this award,” he said, “but for a person like me to be honored with it is something great. Thank you all.”
New Town Business
Before the new board took control, the previous board conducted town business.
First, the board approved the final invoice of $17,762 from attorney Mac McCarley stemming from a personnel investigation into alleged racism. During the discussion, Legge said, “I think this invoice is outrageous, and I would ask this board not to support giving him this much money.”
McCray replied, “Unfortunately, we had to do it. So I make the motion that we approve the McCarley investigation invoice.”
The vote initially tied 2-2, with Marley and McCray in favor and Craver and Legge opposed, but the motion ultimately carried 3-2 with Mayor Bellflowers casting the tie-breaking vote in favor.
In other town business, the board unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the proposed transfer and increase of water supply from the Cape Fear River to the City of Fuquay-Varina.
According to the resolution, North Carolina Environmental Management Commission officials are currently reviewing a request from the City of Fuquay-Varina to increase its current inter-basin transfer from 2 million gallons per day to 6.17 million gallons per day from the Cape Fear River Basin to the Neuse River Basin in order to support the city’s growth. The town’s resolution formally opposes this request.
The board will meet again at 7 p.m. on Monday, December 15, in the Luther Board Room at Town Hall. Town offices will be closed for the holidays December 24–26.
