Holshouser Adviser to RTRP

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Former Gov. James E. Holshouser Jr. has been named special adviser to Research Triangle Regional Partnership. His new position will include promotion of jobs and investment in the region.

“Gov. Holshouser brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and contacts to the job of promoting economic development and is sincere in his desire to help improve the quality of life for his fellow North Carolinians,” said Charles A. Hayes, RTRP president and chief executive officer. “We are extremely fortunate to have the governor join us as we work to ensure economic health and vitality for all of our region.”

Holshouser, a former Moore County attorney, is a partner in the Sanford Holshouser Law Firm in Raleigh and the Holshouser, Garner, Foyles and Hayes Law Firm in Pinehurst and Southern Pines. He served four terms in the N.C. General Assembly before his election as governor in 1972. He chairs the St. Andrews Presbyterian College Board of Trustees in Laurinburg and is member emeritus of the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina.

RTRP is a private/public partnership that markets economic development for 13 counties, including Moore, Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Orange Person, Vance, Wake and Warren.

GOP PRECINCTS — Elizabeth Kelly, chairwoman of the Moore County Republican Executive Committee, has announced three additional precinct meetings for coming weeks.

Pinebluff Precinct will meet at Pinebluff Town Hall Monday, Feb. 26, at 7:30 p.m. The precinct chair is Larry McLamb (281-3830).

D-H-R (Deep River, High Falls, Ritter) Precinct will meet Thursday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. at 719 Flinthill Church Road. Rick Taute (948-4915) is precinct chair.

West End Precinct will meet Thursday, March 1, at 7 p.m. at 25 South Shamrock Drive, Foxfire. Jack Olsen (673-2009) chairs the precinct.

IN RACE — Patrick D. Dwyer, security manager for FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, has announced his candidacy for sheriff of Scotland County.

Dwyer, a New York native who lives in the Deercroft area of Scotland County, is the third announced candidate. Incumbent Sheriff Wayne Bryant has announced that he will not run for reelection when his term expires next year.

Dwyer retired after serving more than 20 years on the New York Police Department transit bureau. Prior to moving to North Carolina he worked six years as assistant director of the State University of New York police.

The other candidates, subject to the Democratic primary election in May 2002, are Maj. Buddy Blalock, a former State Highway Patrol sergeant and now patrol commander for the Scotland County Sheriff’s Department, and Steve Smith, criminal justice instructor at Richmond Community College.

Dwyer told The Laurinburg Exchange that he discovered Deercroft while vacationing at Pinehurst.

RETIREE — The latest retiree in Moore County government is Geneva Goins, information clerk with the Tax Department.

Goins began work with Moore County in 1986 in a temporary position, then became a tax clerk in the Land Records Division a year later.

Before she joined the Moore County tax staff, Goins worked for more than 25 years in medical records at Presbyterian Medical Center and Harlem Hospital. She later performed clerical duties in Washington, D.C., and Pinehurst.

In a resolution adopted by the Moore County Board of Commissioners, Goins is praised as “the epitome of customer service, being an individual of strong character and professional attitude, and has received a significant number of commendations for excellence in service.”

Goins lives in Taylortown and has one son, Terrence, who lives in Charlotte.

EDWARDS — U.S. Sen. John Edwards met with doctors, patients and state government officials in Greensboro Friday to discuss the Bipartisan Patient Protection Act. Edwards joined Sen. John McCain and other members of Congress in sponsoring the bill.