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Mount Holly to Gain New Leadership
November 16, 2023
Mount Holly, NC - The results of the 2023 Gaston County municipal elections are in. Councilman David Moore has been elected as the new Mayor, and Kenneth Reeves has been elected as a City Councilman, succeeding Christina Pawlish, whose term has concluded and did not seek re-election.
Additionally, Lauren Shoemaker, assumes the position of Mayor Pro Tem with the highest number of votes for the three open Council positions in the previous election.
Councilmembers Phyllis Harris and Jeff Meadows will continue to serve the Mount Holly community, retaining their City Council seats. Their experience and commitment to the city's well-being ensure a seamless transition and ongoing dedication to the community's needs.
As a first time Councilman, Reeves shares that, “Having lived in this City for 35 years, I am excited to now be able to serve in a capacity that will allow me to help the citizens of this place that I know and love. The true value of a City can be found in its people and that is my focus as I begin my term. I’d like to create opportunities for citizens as well as staff to voice their concerns and help in any way I can. Being an active citizen with involvement with the Community Development Foundation, FROGS and much more through the years, I discovered my passion to help people and that is why I ran. I’m ready to get started! Thank you for your support.”
The swearing-in ceremony for the newly-elected officials is scheduled to take place during the City Council meeting on Monday, December 11, at 7:00 PM. This event, open to the public. Meeting agendas, minutes, and links to live feed recordings can be accessed at www.mtholly.us.
The Mayor Elect shares, “I am honored and excited to be elected as the next Mayor of Mount Holly. This is my hometown, and my love and commitment for this community will never fade; I played my first little league baseball game here fifty years ago, started my business here over forty years ago, and raised my children here. So friends, I want to tell you that I am humbled and grateful to serve you as your next Mayor. I know I have big shoes to fill, following Mayor Hough, but I am dedicated to this city, it's people, and the businesses that make it great. I will work with them every step of the way to keep our city moving forward. With the title of Mayor comes great responsibility, and I want to make our citizens proud. I am here to be your trusted advocate, and I know that together, we can make strides towards a brighter future for all of us.”
Access Mayoral election results here, and see City Council election results here.
Additionally, following an extensive and thorough search for a new City Manager, Jonathan Blanton has been appointed the Mount Holly City Manager. Mr. Blanton is a licensed North Carolina attorney and holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Jonathan Blanton currently serves as the Ranlo Town Manager, a position he has held since 2020, and previously served as Hamlet City Manager for three years
Mr. Blanton will step into this role in January 2024.
“I am humbled and incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to serve as the next Mount Holly City Manager. I am very much looking forward to working with a terrific governing board and a fantastic employee workforce. Mount Holly is a tremendous place to be able to call home and I am committed to working tirelessly to continue providing exceptional services to our community.”
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