Mayoral Candidate Addresses City Hall Visits

There have been reports this past week regarding a supposed confrontation between Darrell Lee Powell, a candidate for mayor in Cumberland, and the city clerk over election paperwork.  WCBC Radio News spoke with Powell Friday afternoon and he said the initial reason for coming to City Hall was after being contacted by the city clerk, Allison Layton.  Powell told WCBC that there was confusion over due dates for filing and he had the correct date.  He did say he recorded the back and forth with the city clerk. Powell also disputed reports that he refused to sign in at the desk in the City Hall rotunda, saying he signed in all 3 times he visited.  Powell has been a known figure in the community for decades, working at the WHAG 25 Alive Cumberland office, being on WCBC Radio for weekly news updates with Bryan Gowans and Dave Norman, and even working at City Hall.  He added that he is not sure who is reporting that he was yelling and confrontational, noting that a police officer was present.  Powell is seeking to unseat incumbent Mayor Ray Morriss in this November’s election.