Gerry O’Neil, 67, who resides at Fisherman’s Point at Mayo Lake, made his candidacy intentions known Wednesday when he filed for one of the seats on the five-person board of commissioners at the Person County Elections Office on Morgan Street.

The filing period for state and county elective offices will continue until noon on Friday, Feb. 29. Of the seven candidates for commissioner, O’Neil, a Republican, and incumbent Commissioner Larry Yarborough, also a Republican, were the only candidates to file for elective office this week at the board of elections.

O’Neil and his wife, Marcia, the current executive director of the Roxboro Area Chamber of Commerce, moved to Person County from upstate New York in 2005 when she assumed her current position.

When asked what his reasons were for seeking a seat on the board of commissioners, Gerry O’Neil said, “basically, economic development for the area and bringing in jobs.

“Actually, the present leaders are doing quite well,” O’Neil added. “This is a charming place. I am impressed with its growth and I would like to be involved in that growth.”

While O’Neil seeks to bring in more jobs to Person County, he added that he felt it was also key for the county not to lose “it’s rural character.”

O’Neil worked for 30 years at IBM before retiring and he also owned his own business for 13 years after that before retiring a second time.

“I have some time to spend on the job and I am looking forward to doing that,” O’Neil, who now works part-time at Talbert’s Building Supply in Roxboro, said. “You have a great area here. Marcia and I really love it.”

Five other persons filed for election to the board of commissioners during the opening week of the filing period, which began earlier this month. They were incumbent Democrat Jimmy Clayton, along with four other Democrats, who included former commissioner Sam Winstead, Mike Barrett, the former chairman of the county’s Democratic party, and political newcomers David Brooks and Ray Jeffers.

Incumbent Democratic Commissioner Larry Bowes has indicated he will likely not seek election to a second four-year term on the board.

In other filings, State Rep. W.A. (Winkie) Wilkins, D-Person, will seek a third straight two-year term in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Wilkins serves District 55, which includes all of Person County and the northern portion of Durham County.

Incumbent Register of Deeds Mandy Garrett has also filed her intentions to seek a fifth straight four-year term in her position.

Incumbent state Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange, filed for reelection for a seventh consecutive two-year term during the opening week of the filing period. Kinniard serves the 23rd Senate District, which is made up of Orange and Person counties.

Moses Carey of Chapel Hill, who is a veteran member and chairman of the Orange Board of County Commissioners, will challenge Kinniard for the Democratic nomination for the position.