The seats up for election are held by Republicans Newton Cohen, the board’s longtime chairman, and Dave Rowland. Both seek re-election. Whether incumbency will help or hurt remains to be seen. As Cohen said, “Anything that hadn’t gone right in 16 years, you can blame me for it.”

They face three challengers from their own party. The primary victors will face two Democrats in the fall.

Here are some highlights from the debate, sponsored by the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce:

Biggest change over time:Cohen has gone from calling for more conservative spending several years ago to promising to increase spending for the schools this year. He was the only candidate who said education was his top priority and said if he had anything to do with it teachers would get even more money for supplements.

Freshest angle:Gus Andrews chimed in on school spending, but on a different note. Commissioners have promised to keep local per-pupil spending at the state average. “I personally think we need to set the goal higher,”Andrews said. “Average is the worst of the best and the best of the worst.”

Most timely suggestion: Leda Belk, the only Democrat on the panel, said the county should have lobbied to have the rerouting of U.S. 52 settled in time for a new interchange to be part of the current I-85 widening project. Margaret Kluttz, a local member of the state Transportation Board, had advocated such an action earlier that very afternoon.

Most distinct difference: This arose over whether the county should sell some of the Summit Corporate Center property off I-85 for commercial use, such as a hotel and restaurants, or save it all for industry. Cohen, Andy Hinson, Curry Krider and Rowland all agreed with some commercial use. Rowland said the county could reap about $2 million more for the land that way.

But Andrews and Belk said the county should hold out for industrial development and the jobs that would come with it. Commercial development will find its way, Andrews said.

Strongest opinion: For Hinson, this came on the subject of schools, redistricting and micromanagement. “The school board should have been having public hearings two years ago.”

Best analogy: Krider, when asked about city-county relations, said he had seen rivalries between different branches of the armed services. But when there was a war to fight, they came together. That, he said, is what needs to happen with the city and county as they address water and sewer needs.

Most misunderstood question:When commissioners were asked about supporting the arts, as called for in the county’s strategic plan, all the candidates focused on art education in the schools. They might also have addressed county support — as in money —for the Waterworks, the Salisbury Symphony and other arts groups. No one thought of that.

Most effective lobbyists: They must be Rowland’s daughters, ages 6 and 9. “If I was to say I was against arts in the public schools,” Rowland said, “I’d probably get kicked in the shin when I got home.”