Kermit Clay Draughn, 80, is a lifelong resident of Dobson. He was born June 8, 1929, to George Mickel and Sallie Marion Draughn. He is the father of Ricky Draughn and Tammy Branch. He is the grandfather of four and great-grandfather of eight.

He served in the U.S. Army, is a three-time recipient of the N.C. Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service, was a county commissioner for eight years and served as a Dobson town commissioner for 20 years. He has been a member of the Dobson Volunteer Fire Department for 59 years and served as its fire chief for 30 years. Draughn has 63 years of volunteer service to his credit.

Here are Draughn’s responses to a series of questions posed to board of commissioner candidates in Dobson to allow voters to learn about their positions in preparation for the election on Nov. 3. There are two seats on the board available with six candidates.

Question: Why did you decide to run for office?

Answer: I had been on the board for 20 years. I felt like a did a real good job then. An opportunity came, and I feel like if I get elected I could do a good job again.

Question: What would be your top three priorities of you are elected to office?

Answer: Probably, the fire department would be one. Small businesses and large businesses. We need to try to bring them to town. We need to look for industrial to come here. It’s hard to get it in town. Good streets and good lights. We have problems with traffic, that would be a major thing. It’s going to take new lights, new roads, we’ve got the community college. We’ve got four schools here in town.

Question: Why do you think you deserve this office?

Answer: Because I’ve lived here for 60 years. I’ve spent 63 years of my life volunteering and I feel like I’ve done a good job over the 63 years of service to North Carolina. I’ve served the county. I’ve served the town. I spent 58 years on the fire department and many, many other things. I’ve been caretaker of the graveyard for 25 years. I feel like I’ve done more than anyone that lived here in the last 63 years.

Question: What will you do to increase community involvement?

Answer: I think we need to call a special community meeting every three months to get the citizens really interested in what we do need.

Question: Are you for or against the proposed curfew for teens younger than age 18?

Answer: If they are having problems with it, I think it would be a great thing. I’m sure I would vote to pass it.