ELLERBE — Mayor Brenda Capel was one of several municipal leaders recently honored by the Lumber River Council of Governments as it celebrated “51 years of regional excellence.”
Capel, who was elected mayor in 2021, was the recipient of the Leon Maynor Local Leadership Award during a ceremony on Oct. 19, according to a press release issued Oct. 20.
The award is named for a former Lumberton city councilman who was a longtime member of the LRCOG Board of Directors.
“Mr. Maynor was a fierce advocate for his community of West Lumberton, and strived to improve the lives of his constituents on a daily basis,” reads the award description. “This award is given in recognition of the efforts of one of our elected officials, who, like, Mr. Maynor, has provided extraordinary leadership within their local community in order to improve and protect the quality of life in their community.”
In the introduction before her name is announced, Capel is described as “the epitome of a local leader, always placing the best interest of their town and constituents above their own.”
“They may not have an extended tenure in government, but, using their years of experience as a small business owner, they have made significant, positive impacts on their town,” the introduction continues.
Prior to being elected, Capel spent more than 30 years in the fields of mental health and social work, according to her bio.
“Since the time of her election, Brenda has worked tirelessly to improve the financial health of Ellerbe in both its general fund and enterprise funds,” her bio reads. “She has helped the town understand its financial condition as well as make informed decisions to preserve the long-term financial health of the town. She has also worked to ensure that the town develops and implements necessary policies and procedures to increase its effectiveness as a local government.”
The bio credits Capel’s leadership for helping Ellerbe obtain more than $1.5 million in grant funding “to retire a USDA grant on its wastewater system and to allow for the revitalization and beautification of the downtown area.”
In addition to her municipal role, Capel is also involved with her church and the Mineral Springs Improvement Council.
Others honored by the LRCOG were:
- Robert L. Conoly, Raeford City Council – Calvin Haggins Award for Outstanding LRCOG Board Member of the Year
- Jenny Larson, Fairmont town clerk – Annie Kohnen Regional Clerk of the Year
David Townsend, Rowland town administrator – John K. McNeill, Jr. Regional Manager of the Year - Mary Jo Adams, Laurinburg City Council – L.E. McLaughlin, Jr. and Bob Gentry Regional Leadership Award
- Tim Ivey, Scotland County commissioner – Rural Planning Organization Transportation Advisory Committee Member of the Year
- Linda Revels, of Hoke County – Aging Advisory Council Member of the Year; and
- Jay Todd, of Scotland County – Dr. Stanley Richardson Award for Workforce Development Board Member of the Year
During the event, LRCOG Executive Director David Richardson spoke about the national awards recently won by the organization.
The LRCOG “serves as an administrative and service delivery arm for federal, state, regional, and local programs of its member governments” in Richmond, Scotland, Hoke, Robeson and Bladen counties.
