By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
Donna F. Peeler, a Republican party activist, could become the first Republican woman to serve on the Rowan County Board of Commissioners.
Peeler, 60, of Crescent Road, Rockwell, is one of eight Republicans seeking two available nominations.
A retired Belk sales manager, Peeler said she is concerned about her county.
“I am passionate about our county because our roots are here,” she said. “I gained my southern values from our dynamic public schools. We must continue to make them better.
“We are competing for every opportunity, for every job with all the peoples of the world and we need to be prepared. We need to be bold and aggressive about moving forward.”
Peeler also stressed the need to preserve the quality of life and make it better for the future.
“We need to enhance our business climate to promote job creation,” she said. “Retail sales tax dollars are imperative in keeping residential property taxes low. Business is vital to the health of our economy. It needs the freedom to thrive, grow and prosper. I will promote work-force development and vocational education to make sure our work force is second to none in the world.”
“Preserving our quality of life means having an affordable community,” Peeler said. “I will fight for tax relief and a fiscally responsible government. Cost effective government is common sense. It can be better.”
A 1965 graduate of East Rowan High School, Peeler attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and New England College in Henniker, N.H. She has also taken various management courses.
Peeler is a lifelong member of Shiloh Reformed Church in Faith where she serves on the family life and history committees.
She is currently secretary of the N.C. Federation of Republican Women.
To contact Peeler, e-mail her at dpeeler1@earthlink.net. She plans to have a Web site at www.DonnaPeeler.com starting March 10.
Other Republican candidates for commissioner are Ken Deal, Carl Ford, Mike Miller, Harry Rivera, Patty Overcash, Von Coolidge Poston and incumbent Jim Sides.
The primary is May 6.Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com.