It’s hard to miss a campaign sign during daily commutes around Rowan County, but who’s really paying for them?
Candidates for every available political office have begun populating the roadways with signs with a month until the Nov. 4 elections.
For now it seems that school board candidates have taken the most prominent advertising positions. Multiple roadside billboards in Rowan County are plastered with political advertisements for the school board. If Rowan County commissioner candidates have begun advertising on billboards, they are either few in number or not on main thoroughfares.
With just a few weeks left, the number of political roadside signs will reach an unfathomable level as Rowan County inches closer to the election, especially with such a hotly contested county commissioner race.
But other than Nov. 4, the most important date for all Rowan county voters should be Oct. 27.
Political advertisements aren’t free. Though the bottom of political signs contain a small statement proclaiming who paid for the material and ink, it doesn’t truly disclose who paid for the advertisement.
On Oct. 27, third quarter campaign finance reports are due. They are the last required reports before the general election on Nov. 4.
Reports will be posted on the Rowan county Board of Elections website.
The reports may not sway votes, but could provide interesting information about which candidates are being endorsed by politicians and well-known public figures in Rowan County.
They won’t be able to duke it out in a debate, but sheriff, register of deeds and clerk of court will also be allowed to speak at the Oct. 16 board of county commissioners forum.
Sheriff, register of deeds, and clerk of court will have a maximum of 90 seconds to introduce themselves at the forum which will be held Oct. 16 at 6 p.m.
Provost and politics professor Michael Bitzer will give candidates for sheriff, register of deeds and clerk of court time to speak at the conclusion of the forum.
The forum is sponsored by Catawba College, the Rowan-Salisbury Chamber of Commerce and the Salisbury Post.

Best NC, a non-partisan and non-profit group, selected State Sen. Gene McLaurin, D-25, to serve as the co-chairman of its Early Childhood Education task force and member of the Task Force on Teacher Evaluation, Compensation, and Retention.
In response to the appointment, McLaurin said the treatment of teachers is a critical issue in North Carolina.
“NC teachers should be paid at least the National Average and deserve our respect for what I consider to be the most important job in our state,” he said. “Our state constitution guarantees that every child shall have a sound basic education; our rural communities deserve no less than our bigger city schools.”
A news release from McLaurin’s office said the group would specifically focus on preparing for the NC Education 2020 Vision plan. The final plan is scheduled for release at the start of 2015. The release said company executives will also join McLaurin on the committees.

Rowan County will host a congressional candidate on Monday.
Alma Adams, running to U.S. House District 12, formerly held by Mel Watt, will speak at West End Business and Community Center at 6 p.m. Oct. 6
The center is at 1400 W. Bank Street.
Adams has three degrees and also served on the school board in Greensboro.
For more information, call the Rev. William D. Turner at 704-636-1244

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246