Roseboro mayor Roland Hall says he’s still not fully accepted the fact that he was named this year’s winner of the Emsley Kennedy Award, a prestigious honor given out annually at the Mid-Carolina Council of Government’s annual meeting.

“That is still a surprise to me,” a humbled Hall said. “There were a lot of folks more deserving than me.”

Hall, who has been Roseboro’s town leader since 2007, is originally from Autryville and is a 1956 graduate of Clement High School. He also holds two degrees in business administration from Sampson Community College and Fayetteville State University. In addition, Hall is retired as a chief warrant officer with the United States Army, where he served two tours of duty in Vietnam.

He started his career as a town leader 17 years ago, when he first ran for commissioner. He served that post for 15 of those years.

If Hall were to think of what probably led the Mid-Carolina organization to honor him this way, he said it probably had to do with his involvement in the economic development of Roseboro and his position on the Base Realignment and Closure Board of Directors.

As to why he ran for office several years ago, he remarked, “I just wanted to give something back to the community.” He also pointed out that he wants to see his town improve.

“I have an interest in seeing that Roseboro become a better place and the region as well,” said Hall.

According to Hall, his service to the town has been one of helping to create and share a vision of what is needed to make the town improve.

“(My service) has helped to shape a vision with the board and the community leaders of making Roseboro a better town,” said Hall.

Commissioner John Blanton, who is a resident of Roseboro, had the honored task of presenting the award to Hall at the recent meeting.

Blanton commented that Hall was the right person for this year’s honor because, he stated, “he is interested in cleaning (Roseboro) up.” Blanton also commented that Roseboro’s current mayor has also found a way to gather support from residents in his efforts.

“People are supporting his changing of the image of the town,” said Blanton.

Years from now, Hall said he hopes that his legacy as a town leader and resident demonstrates that Roseboro continues to be a community in which people can take much pride.

“I hope that they will look back and say that the town is clean, and the people in town are working together and proud of the town.”

Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by email at silife@intrstar.net.