DOBSON — Incumbents for the two open Pilot Mountain seats did not file to seek re-election by Friday’s deadline, three new candidates entered the field, and one candidate who did file withdrew his name.

Dwight Atkins, George Gray and Cordie Armstrong all filed for the seat prior to the noon deadline yesterday.

Armstrong, 49, of 200 S. Academy Apt. 9., is the store manager of the Food Lion in Pilot Mountain. She attended East Surry High School.

She said for years the members of the community have urged her to run for a seat on the board.

“I want to be a part of what’s going on and try to make Pilot Mountain a better place. It’s already a great place,” said Armstrong. “Pilot Mountain is a great place to grow up, and great place to settle down.”

Gray and Armstrong could not be reached for comment on Friday.

Gray previously ran for a seat left vacant by former commissioner Sam Rule. He ran against Scott Needham and Gary Bell. Bell now holds that seat. Commissioner Linda Needham also ran and kept her seat last November.

In that election, Bell got 220 votes. Commissioner Needham received 201 votes. Scott Needham got 164 votes and Gray received 159 votes.

Both Carolyn Boyles and Andrew French, whose seats are open in the fall election, have decided not to seek re-election.

Boyles said after serving as town commissioner for 20 years, she felt that now was a good time to let someone else serve on the board.

“I thought I’d let somebody else have some fun. It’s time for the next generation to take over. It’s time for old people to get out of the way and make room for some new blood,” said Boyles.

French said with family and work responsibilities, he decided it would be in the best interest of the town if he did not file again this year. He served on the town’s board for the past five years.

Meigs Needham, who filed to run last week, withdrew his name from the race on Friday, however, it is not know why he pulled out of the race. A message to the candidate was returned, but he could not be reached before deadline to comment.

Scott Needham, Meigs Needham’s 31-year-old half-brother, of West Main Street, Larry Wall and Douglas Brannon have also filed to run.

Wall, 65, of 500 S. Davis St., is a Pilot Mountain native. He served on the town’s board from 1989 to 2005.

Brannon, 55, of 301 W. Pine St., is a Pilot Mountain native as well.

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