Thursday night candidates' forum for the three seats on the Elkin Town Board of Commissioners brought only a handful of residents.

All four candidates, Gambil Aldridge, Terry Kennedy, Cicely McCullough and Joe Walker participated in the forum.

The forum was sponsored by the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce to allow residents of Elkin an opportunity to meet the candidates and ask questions surrounding the issues that are most important to them.

The low attendance was disappointing, but the candidates came with answers and their opinions of the issues they each deem will be important ones for the town of Elkin and its future.

Chamber member Frank Beals was moderator for the question and answer session, and Susan White was the timekeeper. The candidates were given one minute per question each. Each candidate was introduced and a brief background was given by Beals.

Questions that were prepared for the candidates to answer included "What steps do you think the Town of Elkin should take to recruit new business."

"I believe we need to continue to work on the partnerships with the region," Aldridge said. "We need to work hard to have our business community meet with business owners throughout the region for partnerships and finding ways for the businesses to compliment each other. I think that the sewer project with the sewer authority that crosses three county lines with three separate entities will be very beneficial to bringing new business to our area.”

"The town needs to embrace what is already here and spend more time trying to attract additional small businesses. I believe that the small business needs to be given respect. If you buy local, shop local and live local, your money stays local, and is able to provide additional services for the community, McCulloch said”

"I want to work to strengthen the regional partnerships," Walker said. "I think it is very important for us to remember to buy American and buy local. If we work together we can support ourselves and our community."

Another question asked of the candidates was their thoughts on the proposed Fibrowatt plant.

"I don't want to be critical of the town of Elkin, I know there needs to be an additional tax base, but I do have mixed feelings over this issue," Kennedy said. "I understand that there is a set of facts and also speculation, but after hearing the opposition that so many doctors in the area have to the Fibrowatt plant, if I had to give an answer as to whether I'm for or against right now, I'd have to say I oppose the plant. I do realize that Elkin only agreed to sell water to Surry County for this project."

"It is not a good fit for our town or community," McCulloch said. "This type of business will not add to the quality of life in Elkin. I am opposed to the Fibrowatt plant."

"I think there has been some misunderstanding from residents as to the role of Elkin in this issue," Walker said. "The town of Elkin agreed to sell water to Surry County. The town has no vote, nor decision as to the proposed Fibrowatt plant. It does concern me that the plant would have an Elkin address. I would have to say I personally have concerns over the Fibrowatt plant."

Other issues such as the top three priorities each candidate would have if elected to office, offered much the same answers. Jobs, commercial growth, infrastructure, a vision for the performing arts and a possible aqua center with the proposed addition to the Recreation Center at the Elkin Municipal Park were all spoken to by the candidates.

The evening ended with each candidate giving a closing statement. There was no information given on a future forum prior to the election.

Aldridge is the owner and broker of Basin Creek Realty on North Bridge Street and an Elkin Town Commissioner. He is also a member of the Town of Elkin Economic Development Committee and is currently serving as a board member of the Surry County Economic Development Partnership and Economic Development Vice President for the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce.

He is a past president of the Elkin Jaycees, Tri-County United Way, Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce, Yadkin Valley Board of Realtors and is a member of First United Methodist Church in Elkin. Aldridge and wife Amy have been married for 13 years and have one 10-year-old daughter, Emma.

Kennedy is a lifelong Elkin resident, a graduate of Elkin High School and the owner of Kennedy Land and Homes. Kennedy has served six years on the Elkin Planning Board, is a member of the Business Advisory council for Elkin City Schools, and a member of the National Association of Realtors. He has two sons, Benjamin and Christopher and his wife, Lynne, works at the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in the emergency department.

McCulloch returned to her hometown of Elkin in 1991 and opened Diana's Bookstore on Main Street two years later. Since then, she has a strong advocate for downtown Elkin business. She has taken a leadership role in three organizations committed to keeping downtown Elkin vibrant and prosperous. She has served as vice-president of Downtown Elkin, chair of the Main Street Board, and chair of the Reeves Theater Restoration Project. She has previously served as president of the Yadkin Valley United Way and as treasurer of the Fiends of the Library. McCulloch also served on the board of the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce. She is married to Joe McCulloch, an Elkin High School teacher, and the couple has two children, Diana, 17, and Coley, 15.

Walker is the owner and manager of AllStar Rentals in Elkin. He and wife, Cathy, have six children, Alicia, Brandi, Eric, Chrishy, Stephanie, and Dusty. Walker has served as town commissioner for the past six years. He is also the chair of the Elkin Tourism Development Authority, treasurer of the Yadkin Valley Tourism Authority, dba: Visit TheYadkinValley, is a member of the Yadkin Valley Wine Festival Committee, is on the Board of Directors of the Elkin Rescue Squad, and serves as chair of the Leadership Team for the Compass Worship Church. He is a past president of the Elkin and North Carolina Jaycees, has been a board member and past board chair of the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce, has served as campaign chair for the Yadkin Valley United Fund, served for three years on the Surry County Planning Board and is currently Mayor Pro-Tem for the town of Elkin.