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Surry
Featured Stories
N.C. House District 90
• Jobs are the focus of District 90 race
Conaway And Harrell outline their plans
Oct. 19, 2004
Candidates for the N.C. House District 90 seat say they want to bring more employment opportunities to the district that includes Alleghany and Surry counties.
County Board of Commissioners & Register of Deeds
• Business top issue in Surry election
Candidates for board want to recruit new jobs
Oct. 18, 2004
Candidates for the Surry County Board of Commissioners say that recruiting new industry and maintaining existing business are the biggest issues facing this rural county hit hard by plant closings and layoffs.
N.C. Senate District 30
• N.C. Senate candidates are divided over jobs, lottery
East favors tax cuts to lure businesses; Jackson suggests incentives packages
Oct. 18, 2004
The candidates vying to represent N.C. Senate District 30 are not just from the same county - Don East and Melvin Jackson also once served together on the Surry County Board of Commissioners.
Candidate Profiles
- N.C. Senate - District 30
- N.C. House - District 90
- County Board of Commissioners
- County Register of Deeds
- Judicial District 17-B
- Elkin Board of Education
- Mount Airy Board of Education
Former colleagues face each other in Senate District 30
COMPLIED BY LAURA GIOVANELLI
Republican Don East, a former state senator, and Democrat Melvin Jackson, a former Surry County commissioner, will run to represent Surry, Stokes, Yadkin and Alleghany counties in the new N.C. Senate District 30.
The two men were once Surry County commissioners together but have vastly different opinions about education, a potential state lottery and taxes.
Don W. East
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: N.C. Senate, District 30
Party: Republican
Home address: 971 Longhill Road, Pilot Mountain
Date of birth: Dec. 26, 1944
Education: High school, community college.
Occupation: Retired police officer
Family: Married with one daughter and two grandsons
Political experience: Two terms as a county commissioner, 1984-92, three terms in N.C. Senate, 1994-2000.
What makes you best qualified: My past history as a police officer, my experience as a county commissioner and state senator gives me unique insight into the problems of Northwest North Carolina such as crime, job losses, more expensive health care, school funding and building needs
Top priority if elected: Attempt to urge the state to repent from its dubious distinction of being the highest taxed state in the Southeast. Gently nudge the legislature and governor to cut costs and reduce taxes and regulation on the hard-working people of North Carolina, thereby creating a more business-friendly climate which will stimulate the economy and provide for job growth and business investment.
Party: Republican
Home address: 971 Longhill Road, Pilot Mountain
Date of birth: Dec. 26, 1944
Education: High school, community college.
Occupation: Retired police officer
Family: Married with one daughter and two grandsons
Political experience: Two terms as a county commissioner, 1984-92, three terms in N.C. Senate, 1994-2000.
What makes you best qualified: My past history as a police officer, my experience as a county commissioner and state senator gives me unique insight into the problems of Northwest North Carolina such as crime, job losses, more expensive health care, school funding and building needs
Top priority if elected: Attempt to urge the state to repent from its dubious distinction of being the highest taxed state in the Southeast. Gently nudge the legislature and governor to cut costs and reduce taxes and regulation on the hard-working people of North Carolina, thereby creating a more business-friendly climate which will stimulate the economy and provide for job growth and business investment.
Melvin T. Jackson
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: N.C. Senate, District 30
Party: Democrat
Home address: 499 Jackson Road, Mount Airy
Date of Birth: Aug. 10, 1948
Education: N.C. A&T State University, Wilson Technology Institute
Occupation: RMC/Metro-mont, sales representative, Mount Airy; retired educator, North Surry High School, Mount Airy
Family: Married with five children and six grandchildren.
Political experience: Elected to two terms as Surry County Commissioner, four years as vice-chairman of District 18 N.C. Association of County Commissioners; Northwest Piedmont Job Training Consortium, vice-chairman of the Surry County Planning Board; president, board of directors of Mount Airy Rescue Squad; advisory board to State Employees’ Credit Union
What makes you best qualified: I’ve never met a stranger and talk easily with all types of people. My common-sense approach to government well represents my constituents. I share their attitudes about issues affecting our area. Because of my teaching experience and with government/community links, I can work effectively with diverse personalities from all political parties.
Top priority if elected: We need immediate changes to improve the job market in our district. A realistic incentive package to help new and existing small businesses is a must. Sales-tax options and a state lottery to benefit education are also immediate concerns. Health care is another major issue for our area.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 499 Jackson Road, Mount Airy
Date of Birth: Aug. 10, 1948
Education: N.C. A&T State University, Wilson Technology Institute
Occupation: RMC/Metro-mont, sales representative, Mount Airy; retired educator, North Surry High School, Mount Airy
Family: Married with five children and six grandchildren.
Political experience: Elected to two terms as Surry County Commissioner, four years as vice-chairman of District 18 N.C. Association of County Commissioners; Northwest Piedmont Job Training Consortium, vice-chairman of the Surry County Planning Board; president, board of directors of Mount Airy Rescue Squad; advisory board to State Employees’ Credit Union
What makes you best qualified: I’ve never met a stranger and talk easily with all types of people. My common-sense approach to government well represents my constituents. I share their attitudes about issues affecting our area. Because of my teaching experience and with government/community links, I can work effectively with diverse personalities from all political parties.
Top priority if elected: We need immediate changes to improve the job market in our district. A realistic incentive package to help new and existing small businesses is a must. Sales-tax options and a state lottery to benefit education are also immediate concerns. Health care is another major issue for our area.
N.C. House - District 90
Jim Harrell III
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: N.C. House, District 90
Party: Democrat
Home address: 1228 Ridge Road, Roaring Gap, NC
Date of Birth: Oct. 8, 1974
Education: Elkin High School, 1993 B.A., Hampden-Sydney College, 1997. Emory University School of Law, 2002.
Occupation: He is a real estate developer in Elkin and Raleigh as well as in other parts of the state.
Family: Single
Political experience: In 2002, he was elected to represent the 90th N.C. House. He is running for a second term.
What makes you best qualified: The reason I ran, I felt like we needed someone who could go to Raleigh and fight for our tax dollars and bring them back to Surry and Alleghany counties. I believe that my performance in the General Assembly speaks for itself. I chair the judiciary two committee. I also chair economic infrastructure. I vice chair commerce. I’m a member of the appropriations and finance committee. I believe that my track record really speaks for itself. I’ve been able to provide strong effective representation. I’m a young aggressive person who’s willing to go the extra mile.
Top priority if elected: If re-elected, my top priorities are to continue to fight to bring jobs to Surry and Alleghany counties. My office has made certain to be in direct contact with our chambers of commerce and other elected officials as we all search to recruit jobs in our area. I also work to provide economic developers with tools to retain existing businesses. While in office, I have fought to cap medical malpractice on lawyers. We must also continue to fight to reduce our prescription drug costs.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 1228 Ridge Road, Roaring Gap, NC
Date of Birth: Oct. 8, 1974
Education: Elkin High School, 1993 B.A., Hampden-Sydney College, 1997. Emory University School of Law, 2002.
Occupation: He is a real estate developer in Elkin and Raleigh as well as in other parts of the state.
Family: Single
Political experience: In 2002, he was elected to represent the 90th N.C. House. He is running for a second term.
What makes you best qualified: The reason I ran, I felt like we needed someone who could go to Raleigh and fight for our tax dollars and bring them back to Surry and Alleghany counties. I believe that my performance in the General Assembly speaks for itself. I chair the judiciary two committee. I also chair economic infrastructure. I vice chair commerce. I’m a member of the appropriations and finance committee. I believe that my track record really speaks for itself. I’ve been able to provide strong effective representation. I’m a young aggressive person who’s willing to go the extra mile.
Top priority if elected: If re-elected, my top priorities are to continue to fight to bring jobs to Surry and Alleghany counties. My office has made certain to be in direct contact with our chambers of commerce and other elected officials as we all search to recruit jobs in our area. I also work to provide economic developers with tools to retain existing businesses. While in office, I have fought to cap medical malpractice on lawyers. We must also continue to fight to reduce our prescription drug costs.
Surry County races have mix of veterans, newcomers
COMPILED BY SHERRY YOUNGQUIST
Two of the five seats on the Surry County Board of Commissioners are up for re-election. Republican incumbent Jimmy Miller is unopposed for the Mount Airy District seat. Republican incumbent Paul Johnson faces Eddie Brown, a Democrat, in the race for the East District seat. Terms are four years.
Two political newcomers are running for Surry County register of deeds — Carolyn Comer, a Democrat, and Merlin Scales, a Republican. The Democrat incumbent, Dennis. W. “Bud” Cameron, did not file for re-election. The term is four years.
Earl Sheppard is running for re-election for the Surry County Soil and Water district supervisor. He is unopposed in the non-partisan race. The term is four years.
Jimmy Miller
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Surry County Board of Commissioners, Mount Airy District seat
Party: Republican
Home address: 119 West End Drive, Mount Airy, NC
Date of Birth: Feb. 1, 1933
Education: Mount Airy High School, 1952
Occupation: He is retired from Rainbow Block and Brick.
Family: Married with three children.
Political experience: He was first elected to the Surry County Board of Commissioners 16 years ago. He is running for a fifth term.
What makes you best qualified: I would say because of the fact that I love the people of Surry County and I’m willing to serve their needs, and in order to do good things as such as water and sewer in the county and school buildings. Those things are important to me, and if I could continue to do those things, it would make me very happy.
Top priority if elected: The top priority is building in the schools in Surry County. We had a bond referendum that didn’t pass. We’re still in dire need of replacing some of those mobile classrooms. We’ve got to put them in permanent quarters. We’re also in the process of running water and sewer to Interstate 77 from Dobson and to I-77 along N.C. 89 from Mount Airy.
Party: Republican
Home address: 119 West End Drive, Mount Airy, NC
Date of Birth: Feb. 1, 1933
Education: Mount Airy High School, 1952
Occupation: He is retired from Rainbow Block and Brick.
Family: Married with three children.
Political experience: He was first elected to the Surry County Board of Commissioners 16 years ago. He is running for a fifth term.
What makes you best qualified: I would say because of the fact that I love the people of Surry County and I’m willing to serve their needs, and in order to do good things as such as water and sewer in the county and school buildings. Those things are important to me, and if I could continue to do those things, it would make me very happy.
Top priority if elected: The top priority is building in the schools in Surry County. We had a bond referendum that didn’t pass. We’re still in dire need of replacing some of those mobile classrooms. We’ve got to put them in permanent quarters. We’re also in the process of running water and sewer to Interstate 77 from Dobson and to I-77 along N.C. 89 from Mount Airy.
Paul Johnson
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Surry County Board of Commissioners, East District seat
Party: Republican
Home address: 399 Marshall Johnson Road, Pilot Mountain, N.C.
Date of Birth: Sept. 30, 1961
Education: East Surry High School, 1979; Surry Community College.
Occupation: He is self-employed and does some farming.
Family: single
Political experience: He was first elected to the board of commissioners in 1996 and is running for a third term. In 1990, he ran unsuccessfully for board of education, and in 2002, he ran unsuccessfully for sheriff.
What makes you best qualified: All of the education I’ve gotten in the last eight years and all of the hours that I’ve spent doing the job. I have made connections not only in the state of North Carolina but in several other states that have benefited and will continue to benefit Surry County.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is business, industry and jobs. My second priority is schools and education. I don’t like to see our citizens having to travel out of the county to make their living. If they leave Surry County, they’re going to spend their money outside of Surry County normally. We’ve got to find a way to fund building classrooms and the way that we’ve asked the state legislators to do is through the half-cent sales tax.
Party: Republican
Home address: 399 Marshall Johnson Road, Pilot Mountain, N.C.
Date of Birth: Sept. 30, 1961
Education: East Surry High School, 1979; Surry Community College.
Occupation: He is self-employed and does some farming.
Family: single
Political experience: He was first elected to the board of commissioners in 1996 and is running for a third term. In 1990, he ran unsuccessfully for board of education, and in 2002, he ran unsuccessfully for sheriff.
What makes you best qualified: All of the education I’ve gotten in the last eight years and all of the hours that I’ve spent doing the job. I have made connections not only in the state of North Carolina but in several other states that have benefited and will continue to benefit Surry County.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is business, industry and jobs. My second priority is schools and education. I don’t like to see our citizens having to travel out of the county to make their living. If they leave Surry County, they’re going to spend their money outside of Surry County normally. We’ve got to find a way to fund building classrooms and the way that we’ve asked the state legislators to do is through the half-cent sales tax.
Eddie Brown
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Surry County Board of Commissioners
Party: Democrat
Home address: 3865 Shoals Road, Pinnacle, N.C.
Date of Birth: June 23, 1944
Education: East Surry High School, 1962
Occupation: He is a farmer of tobacco, cattle, grain, and strawberries.
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: none
What makes you best qualified: I have been involved in several different things. I was in business myself for 10 years. It was a family business, a country grocery store with farm supplies, gas and oil. Then, I was involved in a tobacco warehouse. I was one of the original four directors of the Community Bank in Pilot Mountain. I’ve been on the board of that ever since. So, I’ve had to deal with large budgets, not only with the farm but with business as well.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to serve all the people of Surry County. I’ve not promised anyone anything. My only reason for running is I’m someone that believes in helping others and I believe I’m someone who can make a difference. I’m not political because I don’t have any political ties. I will do what is best for everyone concerned.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 3865 Shoals Road, Pinnacle, N.C.
Date of Birth: June 23, 1944
Education: East Surry High School, 1962
Occupation: He is a farmer of tobacco, cattle, grain, and strawberries.
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: none
What makes you best qualified: I have been involved in several different things. I was in business myself for 10 years. It was a family business, a country grocery store with farm supplies, gas and oil. Then, I was involved in a tobacco warehouse. I was one of the original four directors of the Community Bank in Pilot Mountain. I’ve been on the board of that ever since. So, I’ve had to deal with large budgets, not only with the farm but with business as well.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to serve all the people of Surry County. I’ve not promised anyone anything. My only reason for running is I’m someone that believes in helping others and I believe I’m someone who can make a difference. I’m not political because I don’t have any political ties. I will do what is best for everyone concerned.
County Register of Deeds
Carolyn M. Comer
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Surry County Register of Deeds
Party: Democrat
Home address: 730 Hamlin Ford Road, Dobson, NC
Date of Birth: April 12, 1956
Education: Surry Central High School, 1974. Surry Community College and the Institute of Government at UNC Chapel Hill.
Occupation: Assistant Surry County Register of Deeds. Has worked the past 28 years in the register of deeds office.
Family: Married with two sons.
Political experience: none
What makes you best qualified: I have 28 years experience and knowledge. Since there has been so many changes in the last 30 years, having hands-on experience, knowing a lot about what goes on, on a daily basis, I feel like that makes me more qualified.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is just trying to be a good register of deeds and custodian of our records, safeguarding our records. Experience is very crucial. If the election was tomorrow, I could go in there and things would continue as is, without a lot of fanfare and without a lot of commotion.
Party: Democrat
Home address: 730 Hamlin Ford Road, Dobson, NC
Date of Birth: April 12, 1956
Education: Surry Central High School, 1974. Surry Community College and the Institute of Government at UNC Chapel Hill.
Occupation: Assistant Surry County Register of Deeds. Has worked the past 28 years in the register of deeds office.
Family: Married with two sons.
Political experience: none
What makes you best qualified: I have 28 years experience and knowledge. Since there has been so many changes in the last 30 years, having hands-on experience, knowing a lot about what goes on, on a daily basis, I feel like that makes me more qualified.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is just trying to be a good register of deeds and custodian of our records, safeguarding our records. Experience is very crucial. If the election was tomorrow, I could go in there and things would continue as is, without a lot of fanfare and without a lot of commotion.
Merlin Scales
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Surry County Register of Deeds
Party: Republican
Home address: 3470 Riverside Drive, Mount Airy, N.C.
Date of Birth: Oct. 23, 1964
Education: Mount Airy High School, 1983. B.S. in criminal science at Gardner-Webb University, May 2004.
Occupation: self-employed and owns a small firearms business.
Family: Single
Political experience: None. He was Dobson police chief from 2001 to 2003. He began as a patrol officer in Dobson in 1991.
What makes you best qualified: I have the education and I feel like I can do the county a good job and look for the future and look to run things smoothly and bring new way of doing things.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to keep the office running as smooth as possible. I see no reason to change the staff. This is a way to serve the county. I will treat everybody fairly. In law enforcement, the laws are for everyone. That is the same for register of deeds. It’s for everyone. Whether they are millionaires or someone buying their first home, they should get the same service.
Party: Republican
Home address: 3470 Riverside Drive, Mount Airy, N.C.
Date of Birth: Oct. 23, 1964
Education: Mount Airy High School, 1983. B.S. in criminal science at Gardner-Webb University, May 2004.
Occupation: self-employed and owns a small firearms business.
Family: Single
Political experience: None. He was Dobson police chief from 2001 to 2003. He began as a patrol officer in Dobson in 1991.
What makes you best qualified: I have the education and I feel like I can do the county a good job and look for the future and look to run things smoothly and bring new way of doing things.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to keep the office running as smooth as possible. I see no reason to change the staff. This is a way to serve the county. I will treat everybody fairly. In law enforcement, the laws are for everyone. That is the same for register of deeds. It’s for everyone. Whether they are millionaires or someone buying their first home, they should get the same service.
Judicial District 17-B
Mark Badgett
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: District Court Judge, 17-B Judicial District in Surry and Stokes counties
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1020 Surry Line Road, Pinnacle, N.C.
Date of Birth: June 1, 1957
Education: South Stokes High School, 1975. B.A, Wake Forest University, 1979, J.D., Wake Forest University, 1983
Occupation: Attorney. He was an assistant district attorney from 1983 to 1986 in the 17-B Judicial District.
Family: Single
Political experience: He ran unsuccessfully in 2002 for superior court judge.
What makes you best qualified: I’m the only candidate who has been a prosecutor. I have experience in the district court, the superior court, juvenile court, the N.C. Court of Appeals and the N.C. Supreme Court. My years of experience as a lawyer and a district attorney, in my opinion, make me qualified for the job.
Top priority if elected: My top priorities will be the protection of the public, more efficiency in our judicial system, and a desire to make our courts open and accessible to all people. Having been a prosecutor gives me unique insight because I have seen both sides.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 1020 Surry Line Road, Pinnacle, N.C.
Date of Birth: June 1, 1957
Education: South Stokes High School, 1975. B.A, Wake Forest University, 1979, J.D., Wake Forest University, 1983
Occupation: Attorney. He was an assistant district attorney from 1983 to 1986 in the 17-B Judicial District.
Family: Single
Political experience: He ran unsuccessfully in 2002 for superior court judge.
What makes you best qualified: I’m the only candidate who has been a prosecutor. I have experience in the district court, the superior court, juvenile court, the N.C. Court of Appeals and the N.C. Supreme Court. My years of experience as a lawyer and a district attorney, in my opinion, make me qualified for the job.
Top priority if elected: My top priorities will be the protection of the public, more efficiency in our judicial system, and a desire to make our courts open and accessible to all people. Having been a prosecutor gives me unique insight because I have seen both sides.
Hugh Mills
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: District Court Judge, 17-B Judicial District, Surry and Stokes counties
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 172 Morningview Lane, Ararat, N.C.
Date of Birth: Oct. 19, 1950
Education: East Surry High School, 1968. B.A., Guilford College, 1972, M.A., Appalachian State University, 1978, J.D., Campbell University Law School, 1981
Occupation: Attorney
Family: Married with two daughters.
Political experience: He ran unsuccessfully in 2002 for district court judge.
What makes you best qualified: I am independent in that I have no ongoing obligations to any group. Next, I believe in fairness defined with the common definition. Third, I believe in an optimistic approach to helping young people who find themselves in court. Too many times, young people find themselves in trouble or in a divorce situation or in juvenile court and the main thing that thing they lack is an optimistic boost from someone who could give a few words and help them formulate a plan to make tomorrow a better day. I have gathered that through helping many young people in the criminal courts, especially the indigent defendants. Every public official, whether in the executive branch, the legislative branch or the judicial branch, has an opportunity to give free optimism to young people. It costs nothing, and it helps everything.
Top priority if elected: Ensuring fairness to everyone including young people.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 172 Morningview Lane, Ararat, N.C.
Date of Birth: Oct. 19, 1950
Education: East Surry High School, 1968. B.A., Guilford College, 1972, M.A., Appalachian State University, 1978, J.D., Campbell University Law School, 1981
Occupation: Attorney
Family: Married with two daughters.
Political experience: He ran unsuccessfully in 2002 for district court judge.
What makes you best qualified: I am independent in that I have no ongoing obligations to any group. Next, I believe in fairness defined with the common definition. Third, I believe in an optimistic approach to helping young people who find themselves in court. Too many times, young people find themselves in trouble or in a divorce situation or in juvenile court and the main thing that thing they lack is an optimistic boost from someone who could give a few words and help them formulate a plan to make tomorrow a better day. I have gathered that through helping many young people in the criminal courts, especially the indigent defendants. Every public official, whether in the executive branch, the legislative branch or the judicial branch, has an opportunity to give free optimism to young people. It costs nothing, and it helps everything.
Top priority if elected: Ensuring fairness to everyone including young people.
Two seats on Elkin school board on the ballot
COMPILED BY REPORTER NAME SHERRY YOUNGQUIST
Two of the five seats on the Elkin City Board of Education are up for re-election. Incumbent Jim Westbrook faces Susan Shelton in the race for the City District seat. Incumbent William Larry Wagoner is unopposed for the East District seat.
Shelton didn’t respond to the Winston-Salem Journal’s request for campaign information.
The race is nonpartisan. Terms are four years.
William Larry Wagoner
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Elkin City Board of Education, East District
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 260 Gentry Road, Elkin
Date of birth: July 12, 1946
Education: Jonesville High School; B.S., M.A., education-specialist degrees, Appalachian State University.
Occupation: Retired principal of Elkin Elementary School
Family: Married to Rita Wagoner, son, Chad Wagoner
Political experience: Elkin City Board of Education, 2000 to present
What makes you best qualified: I think that basically I grew up in the community. I’ve always lived here. I worked in the Elkin City Schools for 30 years. I know everyone in the community and certainly stay active in the schools. I think that it basically it gives me a better knowledge than a lot of folks who are not in to education.
Top priority if elected: The top priority is to try to get a new high school building.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 260 Gentry Road, Elkin
Date of birth: July 12, 1946
Education: Jonesville High School; B.S., M.A., education-specialist degrees, Appalachian State University.
Occupation: Retired principal of Elkin Elementary School
Family: Married to Rita Wagoner, son, Chad Wagoner
Political experience: Elkin City Board of Education, 2000 to present
What makes you best qualified: I think that basically I grew up in the community. I’ve always lived here. I worked in the Elkin City Schools for 30 years. I know everyone in the community and certainly stay active in the schools. I think that it basically it gives me a better knowledge than a lot of folks who are not in to education.
Top priority if elected: The top priority is to try to get a new high school building.
Jim Westbrook
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Elkin City Board of Education, City District
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 641 W. Main St., Elkin
Date of birth: May 27, 1952
Education: Shikellamy Area High School; B.A., physician assistant’s degree, Wake Forest University.
Occupation: He is a physician assistant at Forsyth Medical Center in the emergency department.
Family: Married with two sons
Political experience: Elkin City Board of Education, 1996 to present.
What makes you best qualified: My experience. We’ve come through merger issues, and I’ve defended the system each time against it. My participation in replacing the high school building, that’s something I very much want to see through. We’re in the architect design phase now.
Top priority if elected: No. 1, the top priority is preserving the system. The No. 2, which is close behind, is replacing the high school building. The oldest part was built in 1935. The classrooms are too small. They are antiquated. There needs to be technological updates, and there are modern education needs. Elkin City Schools students are some of the best in the state, and they deserve one of the best facilities.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 641 W. Main St., Elkin
Date of birth: May 27, 1952
Education: Shikellamy Area High School; B.A., physician assistant’s degree, Wake Forest University.
Occupation: He is a physician assistant at Forsyth Medical Center in the emergency department.
Family: Married with two sons
Political experience: Elkin City Board of Education, 1996 to present.
What makes you best qualified: My experience. We’ve come through merger issues, and I’ve defended the system each time against it. My participation in replacing the high school building, that’s something I very much want to see through. We’re in the architect design phase now.
Top priority if elected: No. 1, the top priority is preserving the system. The No. 2, which is close behind, is replacing the high school building. The oldest part was built in 1935. The classrooms are too small. They are antiquated. There needs to be technological updates, and there are modern education needs. Elkin City Schools students are some of the best in the state, and they deserve one of the best facilities.
Mt. Airy School-board race lacks competition
COMPILED BY SHERRY YOUNGQUIST
Four of the five seats on the Mount Airy Board of Education are up for re-election. Incumbents Phillip Thacker, David Rowe and Wendy Carriker are unopposed for the District A seat, District B seat and District D seat respectively. Kate Appler is running unopposed for the District C seat. The race is nonpartisan. Terms are four years.
Kate Appler
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Mount Airy Board of Education, District C seat
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 151 Fernbrook Place, Mount Airy, N.C.
Date of Birth: April 30, 1954
Education: Mount Hebron High School, 1972, B.S. in clothing and textiles Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1976, UNC Greensboro.
Occupation: Executive director for the United Fund for Greater Mount Airy.
Family: Married with three sons.
Political experience: none
What makes you best qualified: I have been involved in all the PTAs. I have been president at the middle and high school level. I have been involved in community activities. I’m a concerned member of the community. That makes me as qualified as any.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to make the Mount Airy school system one that sets the trend for standards for better education.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 151 Fernbrook Place, Mount Airy, N.C.
Date of Birth: April 30, 1954
Education: Mount Hebron High School, 1972, B.S. in clothing and textiles Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1976, UNC Greensboro.
Occupation: Executive director for the United Fund for Greater Mount Airy.
Family: Married with three sons.
Political experience: none
What makes you best qualified: I have been involved in all the PTAs. I have been president at the middle and high school level. I have been involved in community activities. I’m a concerned member of the community. That makes me as qualified as any.
Top priority if elected: My top priority is to make the Mount Airy school system one that sets the trend for standards for better education.
Wendy Carriker
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Mount Airy Board of Education, District D seat
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 483 Farmbrook Road, Mount Airy, N.C.
Date of Birth: March 6, 1957
Education: Williams High School, 1975; Elon University
Occupation: She runs a small business from her home.
Family: Married with two daughters
Political experience: She was appointed in 1995 to the Mount Airy Board of Education, and first elected in 1996. She was re-elected in 2000, and she is running for a third term.
What makes you best qualified: I truly believe the public schools are the best way to educate children and that Mount Airy City schools is the best school system in the region. My heart is doing what’s right for the children and to make sure that they are served.
Top priority if elected: Our top priority right now is renovating our high school and making sure that all children continue to be served in whatever capacity that they need to be served. It’s not just making sure that all our children graduate and go to college. We have some children that are in vocational programs, and we need to make sure that we have some vocational programs for those kids.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 483 Farmbrook Road, Mount Airy, N.C.
Date of Birth: March 6, 1957
Education: Williams High School, 1975; Elon University
Occupation: She runs a small business from her home.
Family: Married with two daughters
Political experience: She was appointed in 1995 to the Mount Airy Board of Education, and first elected in 1996. She was re-elected in 2000, and she is running for a third term.
What makes you best qualified: I truly believe the public schools are the best way to educate children and that Mount Airy City schools is the best school system in the region. My heart is doing what’s right for the children and to make sure that they are served.
Top priority if elected: Our top priority right now is renovating our high school and making sure that all children continue to be served in whatever capacity that they need to be served. It’s not just making sure that all our children graduate and go to college. We have some children that are in vocational programs, and we need to make sure that we have some vocational programs for those kids.
David Rowe
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Mount Airy Board of Education, District B
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 215 Howard St., Mount Airy, NC 27030
Date of Birth: April 2, 1944
Education: Mount Airy High School, B.S. in business administration, UNC Chapel Hill
Occupation: Construction contractor
Family: Married to Inglis Rowe; two sons, Locke and Anderson
Political experience: He was first elected in 1996 and re-elected in 2000. He is seeking a third term. In 1994, he ran unsuccessfully for the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners.
What makes you best qualified: Experience I suppose. The years on the board.
Top priority if elected: It’s the high school renovation. It’s an aging school and desperately needs updating.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 215 Howard St., Mount Airy, NC 27030
Date of Birth: April 2, 1944
Education: Mount Airy High School, B.S. in business administration, UNC Chapel Hill
Occupation: Construction contractor
Family: Married to Inglis Rowe; two sons, Locke and Anderson
Political experience: He was first elected in 1996 and re-elected in 2000. He is seeking a third term. In 1994, he ran unsuccessfully for the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners.
What makes you best qualified: Experience I suppose. The years on the board.
Top priority if elected: It’s the high school renovation. It’s an aging school and desperately needs updating.
Phillip Thacker
(Click name to read full profile)
Office being sought: Mount Airy Board of Education, District A seat
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 514 E. Devon Drive, Mount Airy, NC
Date of Birth: July 6, 1954
Education: Mount Airy High School, 1972, A.A.S., Surry Community College.
Occupation: Industrial engineer manager for Renfro Corporation in Mount Airy.
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: He was first elected to the Mount Airy Board of Education in 2000. He was appointed to the board in 1993 for three years.
What makes you best qualified: I have been a part of the community all of my life. I have a very sincere quality in wanting to make sure that children have every opportunity to get the best education and that they can. We have one agenda — to make sure that everyone has the same opportunity to be educated in our Mount Airy City Schools system.
Top priority if elected: As I said before, it is educating the children, making sure they have the best opportunities. One of the things we are putting on the top of the list is renovating our high school.
Party: Nonpartisan
Home address: 514 E. Devon Drive, Mount Airy, NC
Date of Birth: July 6, 1954
Education: Mount Airy High School, 1972, A.A.S., Surry Community College.
Occupation: Industrial engineer manager for Renfro Corporation in Mount Airy.
Family: Married with two children
Political experience: He was first elected to the Mount Airy Board of Education in 2000. He was appointed to the board in 1993 for three years.
What makes you best qualified: I have been a part of the community all of my life. I have a very sincere quality in wanting to make sure that children have every opportunity to get the best education and that they can. We have one agenda — to make sure that everyone has the same opportunity to be educated in our Mount Airy City Schools system.
Top priority if elected: As I said before, it is educating the children, making sure they have the best opportunities. One of the things we are putting on the top of the list is renovating our high school.