Five Republican candidates are on the primary ballot for three open seats on the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners. Incumbents Kevin Austin and David Moxley, chairman and vice chairman respectively, are running for re-election. Also on the ballot are newcomers James Kent, Jay Martin and Tim Parks.
The candidates answered a few brief questions on why they are seeking a seat on the County Board. Their responses are published below. The candidates are listed in no particular order and responses are published in their entirety with no editing.
Candidate bio: Tim Parks
I am from the Hamptonville area and my wife and I reside there on the family farm. I am married to the former Angela Ball from Jonesville; we have one son (Weston) daughter-in-law (Megan) and two grandchildren Titus and Wren.
I retired from law enforcement after 35 years of service, the last 20 years as Chief of Police in Yadkinville. I currently serve on the Yadkin County Board of Education, Mercy and Truth Ministries Board and Buck Shoals Fire Department Board. Past board experience includes the Yadkin County Chamber of Commerce, Yadkin YMCA, and Yadkin 911 boards.
Q. Why do you want to serve on the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners?
A. I have a servant’s heart and believe I can make a difference in a positive way for our county. I love Yadkin County and have lived here all my life; I want to see structured growth but also want to make sure we protect our rural heritage.
Q. What do you think are the biggest issues facing the county and how do you hope to address those if elected?
A. I would like to see economic development at 421/77, I understand there may be some waterline issues but I think that area could really grow if we put forth the effort and time to make it happen.
Also, I know some of our fire departments are struggling financially and as a board we need to do what we can to ensure they have the equipment they need.
Our schools have infrastructure needs. Some buildings are over 70 years old. Strategic planning is necessary to address those needs.
We need to make sure all county departments pay scale is competitive with surrounding counties to ensure we get the most qualified employees. And let me say this, I know we can’t pay what Forsyth County and larger counties pay but I do think we can do better than we are now. No matter what the pay, I want to make sure our employees know they are appreciated.
All these issues I’ve mentioned cost, that’s why we need to be wise with the county’s money and plan for our future needs. It is not always the knowledge you have about a certain situation or an upcoming vote sometimes it boils down to having your heart in the right place for the people.
Candidate bio: James Kent
I have lived most of my life near Charlotte. I was lucky to get based in
Charlotte for Piedmont Airlines, and in 1990, moved to Cornelius, located on the east side of Lake Norman. I met my wife, Denise (Dorsett), while on a trip, and we have been married for nearly 34 years. We have two beautiful daughters, Sarah and Olivia.
With Denise having grown up in Yadkinville, I have spent a lot of time in Yadkin County. Prior to my retirement, we made the decision to move back to Yadkinville. Denise found a piece of property, not far from her parents, Tom and Jo Dorsett, off of Courtney-Huntsville Road in Huntsville where we have built our new home. We are both happy and thankful, being closer to family and friends.
Though, not from North Dakota, I attended the University of North Dakota for their Aviation Program. I received my B.S.B.A. degree majoring in Aviation Administration. In 1984, I began my airline career with Piedmont Airlines. After roughly 37 years, 30,000 flight hours, and numerous mergers, I retired from American Airlines in 2020 with 33 years as Captain on various aircraft.
During my career, I served on the Training Committee and Safety Committee, mentored new hire pilots and was deputized as a Federal Flight Deck Officer after 9/11. While living in Cornelius, I sat on the Economic Development Committee. Since moving to Yadkin County in 2020, I now humbly serve on the Aging Planning Committee and the Human Services Committee.
In addition to my civic duties, I am a member of the Rotary Club and The Moose Lodge.
I believe I would excel in the role of County Commissioner for many reasons. The ‘Pilot in Command’ in a commercial aircraft, may seem dissimilar to the role as County Commissioner, yet the comparisons are there. Basically, you are responsible for the safety and well-being of people on the aircraft. Decisions have to be made for the safe execution of the flight just as the decisions the Commissioners make for the well-being of the citizens in the county. Additionally, as a member of two committees in our county, I have the opportunity to observe and be directly involved in the Counties role and responsibility to the people in Yadkin County.
Q. Why do you want to serve on the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners?
A. I would like to serve on the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners to be able to continue the work the current and past commissioners have done. I am, and will be, a fiscally conservative minded stalwart of the citizens tax dollars. I also have been, as evidenced in my past experience, a respectful and thoughtful advocate for others.
Q. What do you think are the biggest issues facing the county and how do you hope to address those if elected?
A. One of the biggest issues facing the County is possibly our aging population. The answer is two-fold.
It is important for the County to recognize the responsibility to provide some sort of care or assistance for all the citizens. We must ensure we have the resources available for everyone’s health needs. I am honored to be on two Committees that continually do just that. Secondly, but no less important; Provide opportunities for a sustainable future. Not only make Yadkin County a place that our current youth and future generations want to live and raise their families but also be able to attract new residences and new businesses that will economically support those needs
Candidate bio: Kevin Austin
I was born in Stanly County and have lived in North Carolina all of my life. I began working in Yadkin County in 1983 and chose to move here for good in 1990. I live just Southwest of Yadkinville. I married a Yadkin native, Cindy Collins Austin, in 1991 and we remain married today. I have a daughter in the U.S. Air Force and a son who is a Sophomore at Forbush High School.
I have worked at Austin Electrical Enclosures for over 41 years in various management roles, employing and supervising thousands of people over those years. I have served as a Yadkin County Commissioner for over 15 years including over 13 years as Chairman.
Q. Why do you want to serve on the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners?
A. I am proud of Yadkin County and its people and want to continue to serve to protect our way of life and create opportunities for families and young people to succeed.
Q. What do you think are the biggest issues facing the county and how do you hope to address those if elected?
A. A solid workforce is the foundation for economic development. I want to continue building educational pathways and workforce training to build the workforce needed to attract industry and tech jobs to Yadkin County.
Candidate bio: David Moxley
I grew up on a family farm off Center Rd/Mitchells Chapel community. I live in the house that my parents built. I graduated from Starmount High School, attended Surry Community College and transferred to Appalachian State University graduating in 1975 with a BS degree in Industrial Arts and Business. Married for 48 years, father of 2 children and grandfather of 4.
Career/experience: I taught with Yadkin County Board of Education for 30 years at Forbush High School. At retirement I was honored with with the Governor Long Leaf Pine Award, and Governor’s Hunter Safety Volunteers Award. I have attended and completed numerous classes given by Local Elected Leaders Academy and North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. I was honored with the citizens vote in 2008 to represent them as a County Commissioner. I serve proudly at Mitchell’s Chapel Church in any area I can. I have also coached the Forbush High School Hunter Safety Team where incredible team member through the years won 10 State Titles and 6 National Titles. I also coached incredible runners with the Cross Country Team and Track team. I was inducted into the Forbush Hall of Fame. I was active in Boy Scouts, 4-H and sports teams. I am on the Northwest Regional Library Board, Richmond Hill Law School Board, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, and Local Emergency Planning Council.
Q. Why do you want to serve on the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners?
A. I care so much for the residents of Yadkin County. I would like to continue to strive to make the best use of your and my tax dollars. I would like to continue growth in the county but staying in the best budget as we can.
Q. What do you think are the biggest issues facing the county and how do you hope to address those if elected?
A. The biggest issue is continuing services for the residents without increasing the tax rates. I understand the struggles of raising a family on a budget. We have to strive to use tax dollars wisely. I would like to continue with the search for grant money to supplement our tax dollars for growth in many areas. I think we also need to continue with the State Legislation to receive money for rural counties as we have done in the past years.
Candidate Bio: Jay Martin
Grew up in Yadkin County since I was 8 years old. Never left Yadkin County, this is home.
I have been married to my wife Amanda Martin for 17 years
2 Children ages 15 and 11
I live in Yadkinville off Pilot View Church Rd
Career/experience: I have been a insurance agent since I graduated college in 2005. My grandfather, Earl Carney, started our agency in 1980 and it has been my only place of employment since graduating college. My grandfather had a great saying when I started in the insurance business and that was “Son you need to count your customers you take care of not the money you make off them, if you take care of them the money will take care of it self.” I can relate that to a role as a county commissioner in the fact that I want to be a able to count the amount of businesses we can attract and/or the amount of new home construction permits we can issue, if we can grow in those numbers the money this county needs will take care of itself so that we can be able to provide good paying jobs to our county staff and be able to support the amenities such as Police/EMS/Fire protection that the citizens of Yadkin County need. I have served on many boards such as the Yadkin Chamber, Yadkin County United Fund and Smart Start. I have participated in serving on Impact Yadkin as a Crew Leader for 4 years.
Q. Why do you want to serve on the Yadkin County Board of Commissioners?
A. I have committed myself to Yadkin County from a personal and business perspective. I have invested time and money in our communities because I want to see it grow, I want to see families have a place to go enjoy locally. Yadkin County is home for me and I want to see it flourish.
Q. What do you think are the biggest issues facing the county and how do you hope to address those if elected?
A. Biggest Issues facing this county is Economic Growth. Our 77/421 intersection is probably the biggest missed opportunity of our time to bring revenue to this county. We need to get water and utilities to areas to allow for this growth with commercial industry as well as growth in the housing sector.
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