List of mayors of Fayetteville, North Carolina facts for kids
The Mayor of Fayetteville, North Carolina is an important leader for the city of Fayetteville. This person is chosen by the people of Fayetteville in an election every two years. The mayor's election happens in "off-years," which means it doesn't happen at the same time as big national elections. The election is also nonpartisan, meaning candidates do not run as members of a political party like Democrats or Republicans. Instead, they run based on their own ideas and plans for the city.
The mayor acts as the city's chief legislator, helping to make laws and decisions for Fayetteville. However, Fayetteville uses a "Council-Manager" system. This means the mayor is like a "first among equals" on the City Council. The mayor leads the council meetings, but the city manager handles the day-to-day running of the city. Mitch Colvin has been the mayor since 2017.
Contents
History of Fayetteville's Mayors
The first mayor of Fayetteville was J. W. Walker. He helped lead the city in its early days.
A book called "The Story of Fayetteville and the Upper Cape Fear" was written by John Oates and published in 1950. It tells about the history of the city. All twelve mayors who have served since 1961 have signed a copy of this special book.
Mayors of Fayetteville Through the Years
Early Mayors Before 1961
Many people served as mayor before 1961. Here are a few examples:
- James Dobbin McNeill served six times before 1927.
- Thomas J. Powers was mayor from 1907 to 1908.
- John Underwood served in 1914 and again in 1919.
- Henry Elliot Williams was mayor from 1920 to 1921.
- Edwin Robeson MacKethan served from 1921 to 1923.
Mayors Since 1961
Here is a list of the mayors who have served Fayetteville since 1961:
| Mayor | Term Begins | Term Ends | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Butler | 1961 | 1963 | |
| Wilber Clark | 1963 | 1965 | |
| Monroe Evans | 1965 | 1969 | He was the first Jewish mayor of Fayetteville. |
| Charles B.C. Holt | 1969 | 1971 | |
| Jack Lee | 1971 | 1975 | He was the first Republican mayor in Fayetteville during the 1900s. |
| Beth Finch | 1975 | 1981 | She was the first woman to serve as Mayor of Fayetteville. |
| Bill Hurley | 1981 | 1987 | |
| J.L. Dawkins | 1987 | May 30, 2000 | He was the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. He passed away while still in office. |
| Milo McBryde | August 21, 2000 | December 3, 2001 | He was chosen to finish Mayor Dawkins' term. |
| Marshall Pitts Jr. | December 3, 2001 | December 2005 | He was the first African-American mayor of Fayetteville. |
| Tony Chavonne | December 2005 | December 2, 2013 | |
| Nat Robertson | December 2, 2013 | December 4, 2017 | |
| Mitch Colvin | December 4, 2017 | Incumbent | He is the current mayor of Fayetteville. |
See also
