New Whiteville City Manager Sean Martin joins On the Record to talk about returning home and stepping into the city’s top administrative role.He discusses how his local roots and experience in Whiteville and White Lake shaped his leadership style, along with early priorities like improving communication, building partnerships and pursuing funding opportunities. Martin also touches on projects already in motion, including a 200-job downtown development.

Justin Smith, publisher of The News Reporter, hosts this episode of On the Record focused on the Republican primary for the District 6 seat on the Columbus County Board of Commissioners.Incumbent Ricky Bullard, who has served on the board for a decade, is facing two challengers in the March primary: Jody (“JL”) Hinson and Jeanne McPherson.With no Democrats having filed to run, the winner of the District 6 Republican primary could be unchallenged in the November general election.

Justin Smith, publisher of The News Reporter, hosts this episode of On the Record focused on the Democratic primary for the District 7 seat on the Columbus County Board of Commissioners.Two former local officeholders are competing in the March primary: Alonzo McArthur, a former Brunswick town commissioner, and Jeff Register, former chair of the Columbus County Board of Elections.The winner of the Democratic primary will advance to face Republican incumbent Scott Floyd in the November general election. Floyd is unchallenged in the Republican primary.The News Reporter invited both Democratic candidates to participate in this interview series. McArthur and Register accepted the invitation and appear in this video.Candidates are presented in alphabetical order by last name. This series is part of The News Reporter’s ongoing coverage of contested local races ahead of early voting and the March primary.