Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Ellen McNeill, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, is a civic minded individual who continually seeks to make Hoke County a better place. A former City of Fayetteville employee for more than 35 years, a Hoke County School System employee 6 years, and has been a volunteer in the Missionary Union, Literacy Council, Democratic Party, Blood Assurance Program, and Civic League.

Ellen is a life member of Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, where she has served as a long time teacher, and as a member of the budget and building committees, as well as serving in and chairing various other departments. She has been an officer of the Hoke County Missionary Union for about 20 years where she is the Treasurer. Ellen is also a life member of Shaw University National Alumni Association where she has worked for scholarships and other community projects.

Former Governor Michael Easley appointed her to the State Human Relations Commission in 2008. She is a member of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Intergovernmental Steering Committee, Raeford-Hoke Chamber of Commerce, Museum, and Downtown Revitalization Committee. Ellen is active in community events and is a supporter for planning and preparing for Hoke County’s Centennial in 2011.

Ellen is married to Willie McNeill and they have four children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She is the daughter of the late Andrew and Lillie Clark, and has two brothers and one sister.

Ellen is a graduate of Upchurch High School, Raeford, NC, and Shaw University, Raleigh, NC, with a BA in Business Management. She holds a certificate in Management from the American Management Association, is a certified stenographer, and notary public.

Ellen enjoys reading, listening to music, writing, and going to the theater along with attending many sporting events.

Hoke County, among the fastest growing communities in the nation, is faced with providing water, sewer, schools, and other needs. My priorities are education, economic development, budgeting and finance, recreation and concern for the wellness of senior citizens. I desire to see federal and/or state funding come with any mandated programs from those agencies. Too many mandates have come without money; we cannot afford mandates without money.

Giant strides have been made in increasing productivity and efficiency among county employees, partnerships with various agencies, to include non-profits and the faith based community. However, more must be done. A marketing program to aid in industry recruiting and to maximize Hoke County's assets would result in higher paying jobs, better educated citizens, and enhancement of the our natural resources. The Centennial in 2011 is an opportune time to showcase the unique characteristics of our county.

Our Board of Commissioners must remain diligent in seeking grants, partnerships and low interest loans to meet growing needs. Long range planning, a capital projects program, and employee training must become higher priorities. Providing safe and efficient work environments for all departments will afford immeasurable benefits.

New sources of income are needed. Property taxes cannot continue to fund the majority of our county's needs. Revised fee schedules must be adopted to fund those services used by only a few citizens. Lobbying our legislature for representation for Hoke County must become a higher priority. Hoke has not had a representative, who resides in Hoke County, in Raleigh since 1994. Our growth will generate new ideas, opportunities and challenges; therefore, we need someone from Hoke in Raleigh.

I will continue to work for improvements in Hoke County. Our citizens need an individual who provides a different perspective, work experience and a background that is more representative of its people.