Hudson Opens Office in SCC Library

While the office is not for partisan political purposes, the gathering for formal opening included several local Republican elected officials and party members.

Hudson said his office invited a number of local elected leaders regardless of their political affiliation as well as Moore County Chamber of Commerce representatives and other business leaders for the ribbon cutting.

“This is office is nonpartisan,” Hudson said in a brief interview after the ceremony. “The law bars us from doing political work. This is a way to help citizens and be accessible.”

He said his representative will be available to meet with any constituent to hear their concerns or help them in dealing with the federal government on a variety of matters. He added that he wants to be available to help local elected official when they need it.

“I’ve got your back,” he told the gathering.

The office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and by appointment at other times. Chris Maples, of Rockingham, who works out of Hudson’s office in Fayetteville, will staff the Moore County office.

“I also want my representative out in the community as well, not just sitting in an office,” Hudson said in the brief interview.

He quoted the late Congressman Howard Coble, who once represented Moore County, as saying, “If you are not in the community, you not relevant in the community.”

Coble had an office in the old Southern Pines police station next to the Downtown Park in the 1990s, according County Commissioner Frank Quis, a former Southern Pines mayor, who was among the elected officials attending the ceremony.

“It was really valuable to the citizens of Moore County,” Quis said. “It wasn’t used as much as it should have been.”

Hudson said the local officers are intended to be an extension of his office in Washington. In addition to the one in Fayetteville, he also has an office in his hometown of Concord. He said it is important to provide good constituent services.

“This is good for the community,” he said.

Hudson said he was glad things worked out to locate the office on the SCC campus, which is providing the space free of charge.

“We want to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars,” he told the gathering.

He added that he was pleased that his office is housed in the same building with the Luke Joseph Ryan Veterans Center, noting that veteran services is one of his top priorities. The college dedicated the veterans center last Thursday.

“Thank you for coming,” said George Little, longtime chairman of the college Board of Trustees and himself Republican Party activist. “Welcome to the best community college in America.”

He added that college President John Dempsey was away on vacation and unable to attend the ceremony.

SCC Executive Vice President Brenda Jackson said the college was happy to provide office space in the library for Hudson. She said the library is “really a central part” of the campus for students, faculty and the community.

“We feel like you are in the right place for the important work you will do,” she told the gathering.

Hudson noted the important role community college’s play in training the workforce.

Catherine Graham, chairwoman of the Moore County Board of Commissioners, introduced a number of elected officials on hand. They included fellow commissioners Otis Ritter, Louis Gregory and Quis; Sheriff Neill Godfrey, state Rep. Jamie Boles, Pinehurst Mayor Nancy Fiorillo and Mayor Pro Tem John Cashion; Whispering Pines Mayor Michelle Lexo; and Carthage Mayor Lee McGraw and town commissioner Marc Phillips.

Graham said she was also pleased the Hudson decided to open an office in Moore County.

“This is exciting,” she said. “It will be beneficial to the citizens of Moore County. We are delighted we have you in this facility.”

Anyone wanting to make an appointment to meet with Maples outside of the regular office hours or has other questions can call (910) 246-5374.