DOBSON —Among the top priorities of candidates running for both mayor and commissioner seats in Dobson at last night’s candidate forum were the need for more citizen participation, traffic control, an area park and more economic growth.

Kenneth Earnest is squaring off against two-term Mayor Ricky Draughn. Six candidates are running for two slots on the town board, one now held by Wayne Atkins and another by Clarence Collins, who is not running for another term.

The Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted the forum at town hall. YVCC President Laurette Leagon said the forum was not intended to be a debate between candidates or between the audience and candidates. All questions were asked by the moderator, Mike Hester.

Kermit Draughn and Ron Atkins did not attend the candidate forum, although they are both running for a seat on the board.

“What qualifications do you bring to the office for which you are running?” Hester asked.

Mayoral candidate Earnest said, “I want to be involved. I think empathy is running rampant. I’m very qualified to do the job.”

Draughn answered, “I want to be a voice for the citizens. I want to let them know that someone is standing up for them.”

Under the heading of the candidates “top three priorities” candidates leaned toward more growth, while managing growing traffic congestion generated by the community college.

Candidate John Lawson said his top priority is to build a town park.

“My first priority is, and I don’t know if the town can afford it or if anyone is interested, but I would like to see a town park. I would also like to see continued growth. I would like to see more activism from the board and citizens — apathy is rampant. It’s estimated that 200 people will turn out to vote to decide who will be on the board. I would like to get people involved in this town,” Lawson said.

Earnest said the town should keep growing, but still keep its small-town charm.

“I would like to see people get more involved,” Earnest said.

Atkins said most of all he wants to hear what the citizens have to say.

“We need to provide as many services as we can reasonably afford and still keep the tax rate the same. Third, my pet project is to see the downtown revitalized. We need to take advantage of tourism traffic as much as possible,” Atkins said.

Jonathan Snow said his top priority is managing the town’s budget more closely.

“For a long-range plan, we need to look at an infrastructure. Our water lines are breaking down very rapidly,” Snow said. He added that listening to the people of the town would also be a top priority.

Ted Ring said traffic was one of his top priorities.

“It gets very congested and very dangerous,” he said. “I think the kids need a park here. I would like to do all that I could to get people to come to these meetings so we can work together.”

On the issue of what steps the town should take to recruit new businesses, Draughn said he would be opposed to recruiting any new drug stores or restaurants to the area because it would take away from existing businesses in those areas.

“I don’t think the town should do anything that would hurt existing businesses,” Draughn said.

Earnest said the town is working with limited land and buildings.

“There’s just not that much free space in Dobson. We are going to have to work on freeing up some land or obtaining land outside of Dobson to give them somewhere to come,” Earnest said.

Recreation Is Interest, But Is It Feasible?

On the question of having a town recreation center if the land is available, Atkins said he likes the idea, but doesn’t think it is feasible at this time. He said the tax base in Dobson isn’t large enough at this time to build a community recreation center. But, he said he hopes that it is something the town could work toward in the future.

Snow agreed with Atkins saying, “I don’t think the town has enough existing business and industry to support it at this time.”

Ring agreed that the economy would not support a recreation center in Dobson in its current state.

Lawson said he thought the land is still available for a center, “I’m all for a recreation center, if it’s feasible.”

Earnest said, “It’s a great thing. Our high school has a champion swim team. The people here have to travel to Pilot Mountain and Mount Airy just to practice or exercise. A rec center would be a great thing and now is the time to start working on it. I know our tax base is about $1 million, it takes about $4 million to run the town. It would have to be done with grants, but it could be done. They didn’t think Fisher River Park could work. It took us an extra 20 years to get that, and look how popular that is.”

Draughn said the town did a study about getting a YMCA and were trying to get the group who did the study to come back.

“In theory, it would be a great thing. But feasibly, how are we going to pay for it? There’s a lot of questions that haven’t been answered yet, and I know other towns that have recreation centers, like Pilot, and they have a hard time making ends meet at times,” Draughn said.

What’s Missing In Dobson?

On the topic of what the candidates would like to see in the town of Dobson that is currently missing, the answers varied widely.

Atkins started out by saying “a recreation center for all ages” and more participation from citizens. Snow and Ring agreed that having “Wi-Fi” or wireless Internet throughout the downtown is on their wish lists.

Draughn said he wishes the town could have a 24-hour health-care facility.

“It probably won’t ever happen,” Draughn said.

Lawson said his “pie in the sky” wish would be for a factory that would employ 2,000 people.

“But realistically, I would like to have a walking track.”

All Hope To Represent Town

In their closing statements, Draughn emphasized that while he has been mayor for the past eight years, he has “tried hard to represent the town.” And he said he has always been accessible. “I’m not hard to find. If a citizen has an issue, I will listen.”

Earnest said he hopes more than the predicted 200 voters turn out on election day.

“Come on out and vote. I’d like to see a big turn out. Talk to your friends and neighbors and get them involved,” Earnest said.

Atkins said he was fortunate to have grown up in the town of Dobson.

“I want to try to give something back. Dobson’s got good schools, it’s got Surry Community College — beautiful country, you just don’t find this anywhere else. We need to think positive, we’ve got a lot of opportunities down the road,” Atkins said.

Snow pushed for votes during his closing comments.

“If I am elected, I will represent the town openly and honestly.”

Ring also noted his life as a homegrown candidate, saying he grew up within sight of Dobson.

“I want to try to help all that I can. I have an open ear and I’m a good listener,” Ring said.

Lawson thanked the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce for hosting the forum and Commissioner Clarence Collins for his long-time service.

“He’s done a great job and I think we need to commend him. I moved here 16 years ago, I spent six months here by myself. I chose Dobson and that’s because of the schools. You’ve got a small-town atmosphere, but you are close to a big town. It’s just the perfect place to live and raise children, which I did. I plan on retiring here and living here until I die. I appreciate your vote before I die,” Lawson said, which drew a chuckle from the crowd.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.