By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
The Rowan County NAACP is sponsoring a political forum at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Rowan County Public Library at 201 W. Fisher St.
Candidates for the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education and Rowan County Board of Commissioners have been invited.
Kay Wright Norman, one of the organizers of the event, said “several” candidates have committed to participate, though she didn’t have an exact number Wednesday afternoon.
“The NAACP has one of the best forums,” she said. “We have specific issues and questions.”Norman said the NAACP will have some questions formulated prior to the start of the forum. Audience members will also be allowed to submit their own questions for the candidates.
The questions will be divided into specific topic areas. Candidates asked the questions will be given a chance to answer, then their opponents will have an opportunity to rebut what was said.
Two of the three incumbents seeking a return to the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education are running unopposed.
Bryce Beard, who represents the Salisbury district, and Linda Freeze, who represents the county’s southeast district, are both running unopposed.
Dr. Jim Emerson, the board chairman, is being challenged by Eric Trail.
In the race for county commissioner, incumbent Republican Jim Sides is seeking re-election. The other Republican candidate is Carl Ford.
Democrats seeking the two commission seats are Raymond Coltrain and Laura Lyerly.
The Salisbury Post is sponsoring a candidates forum in October.