The Newton City Council consists of a Mayor and six (6) Council Members.
From left to right: Council Member Wes Weaver, Mayor Pro Tem Bill Lutz, Council Member Tom Rowe, Mayor Anne P. Stedman, Council Member Robert C. Abernethy, Jr., Council Member Mary Bess Lawing, and Council Member Wayne Dellinger.
What does the City Council do?
The City Council enacts City policies and laws to govern city operations and the citizens of Newton. The City Council also has the responsibility to appoint a City Attorney. The Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., except for in July and December (due to holidays).
City Council elections?
Members of the City Council are elected by the citizens at-large to serve a four-year term. City Council members must reside within the city limits. Elections are held every two years to stagger the terms of office.
In the 2011 election, Anne P. Stedman was elected as Mayor, while incumbents Wayne Dellinger, Mary Bess Lawing, and Tom Rowe were re-elected. Wes Weaver was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Stedman.
Robert C. Abernethy Jr.
Profession:
- Global Sales Manager, Carolina Glove & Safety
Education:
- Bachelor of Science, Business Administration
Gardner-Webb University
Elected to Council:
- 2009
Community/Government Involvement and Organizations:
- Newton Depot Authority
- Newton Elks Lodge
- Member of Grace Reformed UCC of Newton
Contact Information
- Phone: 828-302-3643
- Email: Robert Abernethy Jr.
Wayne Dellinger
Profession:
- Owner and Operator of Pin Station Bowling Center
- Worked in the retail business for 45 years
Education:
- Graduate of Newton-Conover High School
- Attended Lenoir-Rhyne College
Elected to Council:
- Served as Mayor for a total of 16 years; Council Member for 16 years, with current term ending 2015.
Community /Government Involvement and Organizations:
- Member of Newton Kiwanis Club
- Member of First United Methodist Church
- Member of Off-Street Parking Committee
- Member of Newton-Conover Auditorium Authority
- Western Piedmont Council of Governments Transportation Advisory Committee
- Volunteer Firefighter
Mary Bess Lawing
Profession:
-
Account Executive
-
Executive Assistant
Education:
-
Graduate of Newton-Conover High School
-
Graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College
Elected to Council:
-
Board of Aldermen, 1977-89
-
Board of Aldermen, 1991-95
-
Board of Aldermen, 1997-2001
-
City Council, 2007-11; current term ends 2015
Community/Government Involvement and Organizations
-
Catawba County Historical Association Trustee
-
Downtown Newton Development Association Board Member
-
Former ECCCM Board Member
-
Former Member of Newton Appearance Commission
-
Former Member of Newton Festivals & Events Committee
-
Lifelong Member of First United Methodist Church
-
Newton Kiwanis Club Member
-
Member of North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) Board of Directors
• Western Piedmont Council of Government Board Member
Contact Information
-
Phone: 828-465-3240
-
Email: Mary Bess Lawing
Bill Lutz
Profession:
- Twin City Insurance Agent in Newton
Education:
- Graduate of Newton-Conover High School
- Graduate of Appalachian State University -BSBA minor in Insurance and Real Estate
Elected to Council:
- 2009
Community/Government Involvement and Organizations:
- Member of Newton-Conover Rotary Club
- Member of Trinity Baptist Church
- Member of Elks Lodge
Contact Information
- 828-464-2643
Tom Rowe
Profession:
-
Retired Land Surveyor
Education:
-
Graduate of Newton-Conover High School and attended Catawba Valley Community College. He served six years in the United States Army Reserves.
Elected to Council:
-
Council Member - 10 years;
Mayor Pro Tem - 2 years;
Mayor - 4 years; elected again to Council in 2007 and 2011; term ends 2015.
Community/Government Involvement and Organizations:
-
Member of Newton Kiwanis Club
-
Member of Newton Depot Authority
-
Member of Newton Tree Board
-
Retired Volunteer Firefighter (25 years of service)
-
Served on the Host Town Committee for the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games
-
Member of Grace Reformed United Church of Christ
-
Member of Newton Sesquicentennial Celebration Committee
Wes Weaver
Profession:
- Information to be added soon.
Education:
- Information to be added soon.
Elected to Council:
- Appointed as Council Member in 2011.
Community/Government Involvement and Organizations:
- President of Newton Merchants Group, Inc.
The current Mayor is Anne P. Stedman, who was elected in 2011.
City Attorney is Larry Pitts.