Barber to run for board, not House

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 1, 2009

By Meghan Cooke
mcooke@salisburypost.com
Rowan County Commissioner Jon Barber announced Monday night that he plans to run for re-election next year.
Barber was the guest speaker at the Rowan Republican Crescent Women’s Club meeting where he declared his intention to run in 2010.
Candidate filing does not begin until February, but Barber said he wanted to make his intentions known sooner.
“I’ve been getting asked a lot of questions,” he said.
Barber said he wanted to clear up rumors that he might compete against N.C. Sen. Andrew Brock or N.C. Rep. Lorene Coates for a seat in the General Assembly.
“I wanted to make it clear to my fellow republicans and citizens that I will be seeking re-election,” he said.
Barber, vice chairman of the county board, is currently serving his first term as a commissioner.
Commissioners Chad Mitchell’s and Tina Hall’s terms also expire next year.
Barber said he plans to run on the same campaign he used in 2006. He wants to keep property taxes low by encouraging new job opportunities in the county, he said.
He plans to encourage existing industries to expand and foster a business-friendly environment that would allow industries to consider coming to Rowan County.
Also on his agenda is improving the education system.
“I want to move the county forward,” he said. “Now is the time to put Rowan County on the map.”