Commissioner Craig Pierce’s plan to run for office before his term as a county commissioner comes to its natural conclusion is reminiscent of his actions several years ago. When Mr. Pierce and Mike Caskey lost the primary election to Gene Miller and Gus Andrews, they demanded a runoff primary. They knew that, for the most part, the Tea Party voters were the only voters who would participate in the runoff.

Under Jim Sides as county commission chairman and Pierce and Caskey as his minions, Rowan County made national headlines. Unfortunately, those headlines made us a laughingstock.

Greg Edds has made monumental progress towards uniting the county government with the local municipalities’ governments. Additionally, our county government has made rational decisions that have attracted new business and prosperity to our communities.

Voters need to be diligent and determined. Do not allow Pierce to successfully manipulate our elections. If Mr. Pierce wants to run for a different seat on the commission, then the honorable thing for him to do would be to resign his current seat before the election. With a little luck, we could get rid of him completely.

Under the leadership and vision of Greg Edds, Rowan County is positive and productive. Let your vote show Mr. Pierce that the citizens of Rowan County can see through his ruse, and we are not interested in repeating the Jim Sides era.

— Larry Bowyer

Salisbury