Scott Needham

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DOBSON — While filing for two open seats on the Pilot Mountain town board opened on Friday, as of Monday, only one candidate had filed to run for office.

Scott Needham, 31, of 115 W. Main St., Pilot Mountain, filed to run to be a candidate on the town’s board Friday. He ran unsuccessfully during the most recent election in 2011. Commissioner Linda Needham, Scott’s mother, George Gray and Gary Bell also ran for office that year. Linda Needham retained her seat and Bell won the seat left open by former Commissioner Sam Rule.

The filing period for the Pilot board ends on July 20 at noon at the Surry County Board of Elections Office.

Commissioners Andrew French and Carolyn Boyles, who hold the seats up for candidacy this year, have yet to file.

Commissioner Andrew French has been on the board for five years. On Thursday, he said he wasn’t sure yet whether or not he will run for another term.

Boyles has been on the board for 20 years. On Monday, she said she hasn’t had an opportunity to get to Dobson to file yet.

Scott Needham said he wanted to run again this year because he feels he can be an asset to the town.

“Both candidates mentioned that they might not run again. I like them both. I decided that I didn’t want to run against them because they are doing a great job,” said Needham. “I wanted to be able to serve. I thought I would be a good one to do it.”

Pilot commissioners voted to shorten their present terms by one year to accommodate a decision to have elections on even years along with presidential elections to save the town money. When the town was holding separate elections on odd number years, it had to pay the Surry County Board of Elections a special fee to hold the elections.

Pilot commissioners terms will return to four-year terms once the elections are all moved to even years.

The board meets the fourth Monday of each month.

Reach Mondee Tilley at mtilley@heartlandpublications.com or at 719-1930.