SILER CITY — Siler City Commissioner Chip Price told his fellow board members Monday evening he would be seeking the mayor’s seat in Siler City’s municipal election in March, while Commissioner Tony Siler said he wouldn’t seek reelection.
The commissioners announced their decisions during the board’s regular meeting during commissioner reports.
Price has served for 10 years as a commissioner, an at-large seat which would open if he were to win his bid for mayor. Siler City hasn’t had a sitting mayor since John Grimes died in office in Oct. 2020. Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Bray has been acting as mayor since that year.
Price told the News + Record he initially wanted to run for public office a decade ago because he felt Siler City was headed in the wrong direction.
“I decided if there was a part that I could play and make it a better place for the folks lived here and the young people that were coming here, I should set out to change that course, and make it a better place for everybody,” he said.
Now, Price is seeking to move the town’s quality of life improve as mayor. He said he wants to continue to see the town grow economically and continue the progress already made.
“I want to work with board members — new and old — and continue to move the city forward,” he said. “I want to keep progress coming and continue to do things promote growth, jobs for folks to do, create a better place to live and making a better environment for everybody.”
Siler announced he would not seek reelection in the town’s delayed March election.
“This is going to be my last term,” Siler said. “I’ve been fortunate to have served since 2003, and I think it is time for me to pull out for someone else because they may have some new ideas.”
During his tenure on the board, Siler said he has seen Siler City change and grow. He told the board that he’s grateful to have been able to serve the community in this way.
Commissioners thanked Siler for his service on the board, wishing him well as he finishes up his last term. “You will be missed,” Bray told Siler in the meeting.
Siler City’s municipal election will take place at the same time as the March primaries, after being delayed from November 2021 due to redistricting concerns. Filing for municipal elections for Siler City will start at noon Jan. 3 and end on Jan. 7.
Reporter Taylor Heeden can be reached at theeden@chathamnr.com.