The Sampson County commissioners race in District 1 may have just received a curve ball, with the announcement that a Republican will be vying for the seat currently held by another county GOP member.

Hubert Hall said this week he will file for the seat now occupied by Jarvis McLamb, also a Republican living in the Plain View community.

“I did call him,” Hall said of McLamb, noting that he told the current commissioner his filing would be “nothing personal.”

“I just told him I wanted an opportunity to serve,” Hall said in a telephone interview. “If we need a primary, well, then we’ll do that, but I also told him after it was all over with, we’d still be friends.”

Hall, who served on the Sampson County Board of Education from 1980-1984 and again from 1986-1990, said he had no real complaints about the direction in which the county was currently going nor an agenda, merely a desire to “help influence the future of the county.”

“I think Sampson County, in the next few years, will face some challenges, as well as opportunities,” Hall said, noting his belief that he had the experience, education, knowledge and ability to address the issues confronting the county.

What’s more, Hall pointed out, since he’s retired, he also has the time to devote to the job.

The Halltown Road resident is a graduate of Shaw University, with a bachelor of science degree in science and business management and a graduate of Fayetteville State University, with a masters of arts degree in educational administration and supervision.

He retired from Fayetteville Technical Community College in 2003, having worked since 1975 at the educational institute as an instructor, department chairman, vocation/technical program coordinator, admissions representative and evening supervisor.

Hall said, as a commissioner, he would be guided by a number of beliefs, including that government has a responsibility to provide a safe and orderly environment for its citizens; demonstrate fiscal restraint; continually seek jobs for its citizens; and project a positive image for the county.

“People should be able to live without the constant threat and fear of becoming a crime victim. Law enforcement agencies must be supportive and adequately funded in order to be able to provide the protection citizens expect and deserve,” Hall said,

Pointing to fiscal restraint, Hall said it was “foolish and irresponsible” to continually spend more money than the county could generate. “Such action will eventually require more and higher taxes. All county agencies must operate efficiently if we are to avoid those higher taxes.”

Hall highlighted agriculture as the county’s mainstay and said it had been and always would be a major part of Sampson’s economy. “We must,” he attested, “seek and support ways to sustain and strengthen” our agriculture base.

The District 1 contender also said it was vital for the county to support its current industries while looking for and attracting new industry into the area.

Support of schools, too, got a nod from Hall, who said it was important to stand behind the county’s educational institutions and prepare youth for the future.

And he stressed the importance of a positive image both inside and outside the county. “When people outside the county have an unfavorable image of us, it will be difficult to attract quality employees to fill leadership positions, and industry will be reluctant to locate here. Creating a positive image must be a joint effort throughout the county and must begin with the county commissioners,” Hall said.

Turning to his faith, Hall said, would also be key to his service. “As a long-time Christian and active Baptist church member, I believe each of us should seek God’s will for our lives and pray for his wisdom and guidance in each decision we make.”

Hall is a member of Piney Green Baptist Church, where he served as chairman of the Deacon Board, an assistant Sunday school teacher and the recipient of the Baptist Man of the Year award.

Hall said he would file for the District 1 seat on Feb. 8, the day the filing period opens.