Eight candidates for Davidson County Board of Commissioner responded to a questionnaire about their opinions should they win a seat on the board. The following are the questions and responses in entirety.

Question 1. Please tell readers a little about yourself, particularly about any political experience. Some of you are incumbent commissioners, some have held seats on city councils, some served on various committees and others are brand new to this. Share any past experience that qualifies you for the job.
• Past President of the Thomasville Jaycees
• Past Master of the Thomasville Masonic Lodge
• Past President of the Chair City Shrine Club
• Past member of the Davidson County Planning and Zoning Board
• Serving 2nd term as a County Commissioner

Question 2. This is one question posed different ways for incumbents and their challengers.
To incumbents: A lot has happened in this county over the past year. What was the most important issue commissioners decided on during that year, what factors lead to your decision and how do you feel about the issue now the decision is made?
Watford:The approval of the budget ordinance is the single most important decision that we make annually and directly affects the lives of the citizens of Davidson County. The next most significant decision made this past year, in my opinion, was the purchase of the Davidson Academy property which I opposed. I didn’t object to the value or need but at a time when it is hard for the average citizen to spend two thousand dollars, I could not justify spending $2 million.

Question 3. The economy and high unemployment rates are this year’s biggest issues. The Davidson County Economic Development Commission actively recruits manufacturers to locate in Davidson County and works closely with the county, Lexington, Thomasville and Denton to negotiate incentive packages to reimburse a company a portion of its property tax bill if it chooses to move here. The Lexington Tourism Authority and the Davidson County Tourism Recreation Investment Partnership market the county’s attractions and activities to people living locally and out of state through publications and the Internet. Last year, commissioners pushed for and succeeded in creating economic incentive grants to small businesses in Davidson County expanding and adding jobs.
What can you, as a commissioner, do above and beyond these efforts to improve the economy in Davidson County?
Watford: More government involvement is not always the answer. We operate in a free enterprise, capitalistic, supply and demand economy and hopefully will remain just that. We will continue to make Davidson County as business friendly as possible through the zoning, permitting, and inspections processes, in addition to the tax rebate incentives.

Question 4. Besides the enduring issues of education, jobs and taxes, what are some of your goals during your time on the board of commissioners?
Watford: I am thankful that the Lord placed me in this place at this time. All I can ever hope to do is to try to leave it better for those He places here after me.
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Published: Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 10:15 p.m.
Incumbent commissioner candidates move on
By David Bodenheimer
The Dispatch
Three Republican incumbents pushed through the primary and will join five other candidates on the ballot in the November general election.
Incumbent Billy Joe Kepley received the most Republican votes with 8,183 for 15.8 percent in unofficial returns Tuesday night. He was followed by incumbent county board members Don Truell with 6,905 votes (13.33 percent) and Sam Watford with 6,773 votes (13.08 percent).
Watford, who said he ran on his record rather than campaigning heavily, said he hopes to be able to continue to work on improving Davidson County. Watford will be seeking his third term on the board.
“I just appreciate everyone's support that voted for me,” Watford said. “If elected this fall, I promise to work as hard as ever. I don't mind people criticizing what we do, and I'll take my share of the blame just as long as we (board) get our share of the credit.”
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Published: Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 11:47 p.m.

Candidates discuss economic incentives, jobs and tourism at forum

By David Bodenheimer
The Dispatch

Six of the eight candidates vying for a spot on the Davidson County Board of Commissioners attended a forum Tuesday night sponsored by the Lexington Young Leadership Forum and the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce.

Candidates agreed and disagreed on most questions, but all six — incumbent Republicans Don Truell and Sam Watford and Billy Joe Kepley, and challengers Republican Todd Yates and Democrats Jeff Switzer and Jason Hedrick — agreed on their accessibility, giving the public a green light to call them at home to discuss their candidacy. Their response was prompted by an audience member’s question that was simply, “Can we call you at home?” All the candidates also said they would not raise taxes in the immediate future and would do everything feasible to keep the county tax rate at it’s current rate — 54 cents for every $100 in valued property — for as long as possible. On the heels of the recent TIMCO Aviation Services announcement — a company that has pledged to bring 500 jobs to the county — candidates were asked what they could do specifically to enhance and or improve efforts to attract and retain businesses in the county.

“This is without a doubt the most important question in the county,” said Watford. “We’ve got to make county government as business-friendly as possible.”
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Published: Monday, October 18, 2010 at 11:43 p.m.

Candidates answers students' questions at NDHS forum
By Deneesha Edwards
The Dispatch
Candidates running for offices in the upcoming November election had the chance to respond to questions Monday evening asked by North Davidson High School students. Six of the eight candidates running for the four open seats on the commissioners board were in attendance. Incumbents Don Truell, Billy Joe Kepley and Sam Watford, all Republicans were joined by fellow GOP candidate Todd Yates and Democratic challengers Jason Hedrick and Jeff Switzer. Democratic candidates Ronald Swicegood and Kevin Williams were not in attendance. Questions proposed to commissioner candidates were about community problems relating to jobs, the unemployment rate and their thoughts on incentives to attract new businesses. Commissioners were also asked how they would encourage young people to return to the county after they graduate from college. Watford also thought there are plenty of opportunities for somebody to leave and return after getting a postsecondary education. “There's always something here for you to do,” he said.

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November 2010
Watford brings business experience to the table
by ERIN WILTGEN Thomasville Times
Watford, Republican incumbent from Thomasville, will compete for one of four spots for Davidson County Commissioner in the November election.
“As an incumbent, I feel like we just kind of run on what we have done,” he said. “I try to serve my county to the best of my abilities. I try to bring a little common sense to the board, and a little business sense.”
Watford already has put that business sense to use. Though the board previously had a system in place to grant incentives to companies looking to invest $1 million or more in the county, Watford introduced a plan about a year go to widen that grant program to include smaller businesses.
“I’m a small business man myself,” he said. “There’s no question about whether we are the backbone of the economy in this country.”
Watford’s plan changes the standards of incentive grants to include companies proposing less than a $1 million investment.
“As far as government goes, that’s about all that we can do is be as business friendly as we can — all of our planning and permitting processes — and at the same time give our tax rebate grants,” Watford said. “It does give them a little bit of a boost.”
Recreation also is something Watford would like to work on. He says he would like to see more work done on the county’s parks and an increased number of walking trails.
“We need some more recreation facilities in the county,” Watford said. “That’s something we’re short on.”
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Published: Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at 10:45 p.m.
Republicans sweep commissioner seats
By David Bodenheimer
The Dispatch
Republicans swept the race in Tuesday’s general election for four open seats on the Davidson County Board of Commissioners.
Incumbents Sam Watford, Billy Joe Kepley and Don Truell and newcomer Todd Yates were victorious, hardly being challenged by their Democratic counterparts, as each GOP candidate gathered at least 17.5 percent of the vote. Watford, Kepley, Yates and Truell beat out Democratic candidates Jeff Switzer, Kevin Williams, Ronald Swicegood and Jason Hedrick. Hedrick had the most votes on Democratic ticket with 9.4 percent of the vote.
Watford was elected to his third consecutive term as a commissioner with 17.6 percent of the vote (27,320 votes). A licensed contractor, he is owner of Watford Construction Co. Watford is a fourth-generation lifelong resident of Davidson County. Watford said he was appreciative of county voters allowing him to have another term on the board.
“Thanks to everyone that supported me and continues to support me. I’m grateful,” Watford said. “I’m going to continue to serve to the best of my ability.”
Watford, too, expressed his appreciation of Walser’s service and that he was looking forward to working with new commissioner Yates. “Hopefully, we can all work together,” he said. “This is a good move tonight.” Watford added now that the election is over, he can breathe a sigh of relief and is looking forward to getting back to work.
“It’s back to the business of the county and trying to improve the lives of everyone who lives here,” he said.
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November 2010