COURTLAND—Republican Southampton County Supervisor Walter Young is running for his fifth, four-year term.

Young, 71, faces challenger Barry Porter, a financial/real estate consultant and former finance director for Mobil Corp. in North and South America and Africa. Porter, 63, will run as an independent in Nov. 8 general election.

The job of supervisor pays $5,500 a year.

A semi-retired farmer, this is Young’s second time in five elections to face an opponent for the seat.

“I’ve really enjoyed (serving) and I feel like I helped the county,” he said. “I feel like this county is in fairly good shape compared to other counties.”

Young believes the most important issues facing the county are paying down its $69 million debt and taxes.

“We had to increase taxes because of our schools and sewer system,” he said. “We didn’t have a lot of control over it. I would love to see our taxes come down and attract people to Southampton County. It’s discouraging for a young person to start a business in Southampton County.”

Young has served on the Franklin-Southampton County Fair Board of Directors since its inception 31 years ago. He also serves as the fair’s livestock chairman.

Young belongs to Sycamore Baptist Church, here he is chairman for the trustees, on the deacon board and endowment committee.

He and his wife, Betty Sue, are the parents of Walt Young III and Chris Young, both landowners and Southampton County farmers. Walter and Betty Sue Young are also the parents of two more county residents — Susan Spivey, a teacher’s assistant, and Holly Giles, a special education teacher, both at Riverdale Elementary School.

Walter and Betty Sue Young have eight grandchildren.