No one bothers to run in small NC town's election

[July 16, 2011]  TAR HEEL, N.C. (AP) -- The races for mayor and three commission seats are wide open in the small North Carolina town of Tar Heel -- because no one bothered to run.

No one has registered as a candidate for the fall elections in the Bladen County town. The story was first reported by WECT-TV.

The ballots will be printed with blank spaces for voters to write in their choices.

Current Mayor Ricky Martin says he's not surprised no one wants the jobs. Even in a town of 117, it's hard work with little compensation. And Martin says state budget cuts mean the next elected officials might have to raise taxes.

Cynthia Shaw, the director of the county's board of elections, says it's the first time she has seen an entire town without a candidate.

[Associated Press]

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