10.27.06
SalisburyPost.com
LETTER - NO REASON FOR FEAR

I'm at a loss to understand exactly which rights Todd Wilkins fears losing as a result of Carl Ford's election to the Board of Commissioners. Aside from his whining over the axing of an "alternative lifestyles" club at South Rowan High and the role Mr. Ford played in making it happen, all he really seems to offer is fear and apprehension over Mr. Ford's strong Christian convictions.

That, in turn, tells me more about the leftist/secularist religion of Todd Wilkins than it does about Carl Ford, who, as a fiscal conservative, believes in strict accountability of community resources and taxpayer funds and, as a traditionalist with respect to morality, believes in conserving the values that made our country great in the first place.

Mr. Wilkins' views not withstanding, most of those values derive from the Judeo-Christian religious tradition.

Imagine that.

Vote for Carl Ford Nov. 7.

-- Kevin Wilson

China Grove

10.26.06
SalisburyPost.com
LETTER - Fictitious alliance

Responding to two letters published on Oct. 20 from Todd Wilkins and Ralph Walton:

Wilkins' letter had a single intent: to besmirch the character and integrity of Carl Ford, a good man and strong candidate for county commissioner. Wilkins apparently supports the homosexual agenda favored by the national Democratic Party. But he should recall that the entire school board and a vast majority of Rowan County citizens opposed having a gay organization within the schools.

Everyone can remember Ralph Walton as a loser rejected by his own Democratic Party during the primary election. He gave the impression of being just another tax-and-spend liberal Democrat.

Both letters are transparent attempts to divide and conquer Republicans by creating a fictitious alliance between a Republican and two Democratic candidates for county commissioner. No such alliance exists.

-- Bill Ward

Salisbury

10.25.06
Salisbury Post.com
County commission candidates talk about diversity at forum

By Mark Wineka
Salisbury Post

Speaking at an NAACP forum Tuesday night, most candidates for the Rowan County Board of Commissioners said diversity training should be a must for county officials and employees.

But Republican Carl Ford didn't agree.

Ford, who owns small radio stations in China Grove and Kannapolis, said he deals with a diverse group of people all the time in business.

If a person has fairness and Christian love in his heart, that's all the training he needs, Ford said, adding "I can go up and talk to anyone."

Ford told the NAACP audience that he doesn't like the terminology, believing it suggests "we have a problem" when one doesn't exist.

Other candidates told how they went through formal diversity training themselves, often as a required part of their jobs. Republican Chad Mitchell and Democrat Tina Hall had diversity training within the Rowan-Salisbury Schools.

Democrat Raymond Coltrain said he had diversity training and sex discrimination classes in his former state job. "We have to treat each other as individuals and have respect for differences," Coltrain said.

Republican Jon Barber said part of his former job with Kodak was a requirement to meet diversity goals. He met them every year, Barber said, describing how they were figured into his compensation package.

Dr. Bryant Norman, moderator for the NAACP forum Tuesday night at the Rowan Public Library, framed the question about diversity by noting that the city of Salisbury required all of its employees to participate in the training.

Democrat Leda Belk said she belonged to the Salisbury-Rowan Human Relations Council when it was in the "train-the-trainer" phase of diversity training.

Belk said she pushed for diversity training in the county when she was on the Board of Commissioners in the past but could never garner enough votes to do it.

Belk spoke in favor of diversity training for county employees and said the Human Relations Council provide the training for the employees.

Three Democrats (Belk, Coltrain and Hall) and three Republicans (Barber, Ford and Mitchell)are vying for three seats on the Board of Commissioners, and all six candidates appeared at the NAACP forum Tuesday.

All of the candidates were asked their vision for Rowan County over the next 10 years.

Ford said he knows any vision has to address growth, and other candidates agreed with him.

The county could grow more, Ford said, by keeping a sensible tax rate, providing an incentive for businesses to be here.

Ford also pushed for a better, less expensive way to build new schools.

Mitchell, a current commissioner, said the county will have to build its infrastructure and tax base through economic development so residential development doesn't overwhelm services.

Mitchell said the county must keep its property tax rate low, and its schools must produce students who can fill the higher demanding jobs that are coming.

Barber said to have a vision for the next 10 years takes knowing where the county has been over the past 10. He said he spent part of the summer looking at the county's budgets over the past decade.

It confirmed for him that the county needs a long-range plan "to connect the dots" in infrastructure, schools, quality of life and what it takes to build the tax base, Barber said.

"We don't want to be a bedroom community, and that's where we're headed," Barber said.

Belk pushed for land planning; a capital plan for the courthouse, schools and Department of Social Services; help for seniors; and giving schools the resources to reach kids in danger of dropping out.

Coltrain also spoke for Rowan County's having a plan to manage growth and not just accept what it brings. That kind of plan has to have the input from everyone in the public and private sectors, Coltrain said.

Rowan has to maximize its infrastructure while finding ways to maintain some of its small-town feel and rural environment, Coltrain added.

Hall said it's instructive to remember that commissioners' previous vision included building Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium and using taxpayer money to spy on private citizens. What were they thinking? Hall asked.

She said the biotech campus being developed in Kannapolis will force the county to look at improving its schools. She suggested a vision that could include a biotech academy or engineering academy.

Overall, Hall called for commissioners to set better priorities for Rowan.

Over the hourlong forum, candidates also answered questions on things such as how to increase the tax base, how they viewed the Economic Development Commission's role; relationships between the school board and commissioners; and their ideas on how to attract and keep workers 30 and younger.

Early voting at the Rowan County Board of Elections in Salisbury already has begun. Election Day is Nov. 7.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263, or mwineka@salisburypost.com.

07.04.06
votecarlford.com Press Department
CARL FORD RIDES IN FAITH 4TH OF JULY PARADE

Faith, NC - Rowan County Commissioner Candidate, Carl Ford participates in the Faith, NC 4th of July celebration! View pictures on the Campaign Photos page.

03.10.06
votecarlford.com Press Department
COMMISSIONER JIM SIDES ENDORSES CARL FORD

China Grove, NC - Rowan County Commissioner Jim Sides elected to the commission in 2004 has announced his support for Carl Ford in the 2006 primary on May 2nd.

Commissioner Sides says, "If you have noticed and appreciated the changes in the last two years on the County Commission and realize there is more improvements to be made as long as I have support and help. I believe this help can come in the form of Carl Ford. He is a strong Christian Conservative and will help in the great future of Rowan County."

Commissioner Sides ask for your help in electing Carl Ford to the Rowan County Commmission. Vote in the May 2nd primary for Rowan County Commission.

03.06.06
votecarlford.com Press Department
KEN UPRIGHT ADDED TO CARL FORD CAMPAIGN

China Grove, NC - The Committee to elect Carl Ford for County Commissioner has announced the addition of a campaign chairman to run the campaign. The 41-year-old Kannapolis resident, Ken Upright, has been heavily involved in Rowan county politics for over 15 years.

Upright has been married to his wife Phyllis for thirteen years and has two sons, John age nine and Jason age six. Upright a drummer at Central Baptist Church in Kannapolis works in the management of Bashian Oriental Rugs in Kannapolis.

In 1990 Ken Upright worked on the Helms for Senate committee as the Rowan Coordinator. In 1992 he was an assistant for Privette for Congress and was the Campaign Press secretary for Morgan for Congress in 1994. Upright also served as the President for the Rowan Republican Men's Club and a member for the Rowan Republican Central Committee.

The Committee to elect Carl Ford for County Commissioner is excited to have Ken Upright on board as we go through this campaign season. For more information visit, www.votecarlford.com and check for regular campaign updates.

02.23.06
By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post

A China Grove broadcaster, who believes government should be more responsive to its citizens, has entered the Republican race for the Rowan County Board of Commissioners.

Carl Ford, owner of Ford Broadcasting, filed Tuesday for one of three seats to be decided in the upcoming primary and election. Ford is one of six Republicans to file.

Ford currently serves on the Rowan Social Services Board.

Ford considers himself a Christian conservative, favoring lower taxes and smaller government. He is an advocate of property rights.

A small business owner, Ford contends that the sale and use of an individual's property is their business and should not have government interference.

He also questions giving incentives to businesses to locate or expand.

"The best incentives for industrial growth in Rowan County would be a lower tax rate, which would benefit everyone," said Ford. "Give tax incentives to all or none -- period."

Ford went on to call for wiser use of tax money. Quoting from Matthew 22: 21, Ford said Bible speaks of "rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar's."

"In modern terms, we need to pay our taxes, but this doesn't mean that we need to let those who are irresponsible have charge over those funds."

And he called for a better use of technology to keep citizens informed, urging that the complete proposed county budget be posted online for citizens to review and question before it's adopted.

He contends that government has lost sight of its responsibility to serve its people.

"Communication is the key to success," said Ford. "Let's review our communication with municipalities and find areas to improve our effectiveness."

Recently, Ford was one of a half dozen potential candidates to attend the commissioners' two day retreat at the South Rowan Regional Library.

Ford and his wife, Angela, have four children, Lindsay, Anthony, Candace and Taylor.

He and his family are very active in the music ministry at their church, Truth Temple in Kannapolis.

Raised in Kannapolis, Ford followed his father's footsteps and in 1973 began work at Cannon Mills.

In 1982, the began his career in radio at WRKB in Kannapolis. Since that time he has purchased WRNA AM 1140 in China Grove as well as WRKB AM 1460.

For more information on Ford's campaign, call 704-305-3541 or e-mail him at carl@fordbroadcasting.com.

BY STATE STATUTE, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE CAPITAL NEEDS OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM. NO ONE CAN SAY THAT THE CURRENT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HAS NOT DONE THAT. THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY STEPPED FORWARD WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO COVER COST OVERRUNS IN SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION RELATED TO THE BOND ISSUE. NOT ONLY HAVE THE FUNDED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, THEY ALSO CHIP IN AROUND $29 MILLION EACH YEAR FOR OPERATING FUNDS. THIS IS NOT A REQUIREMENT OF THE STATE. THIS IS DONE TO BETTER EQUIP OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM TO OFFER THE BEST POSSIBLE EDUCATION TO OUR CHILDREN. AS A COMMISSIONER, I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM TO MEET ALL THESE NEEDS. HOWEVER, IT IS THE SCHOOL BOARD, NOT THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WHO ARE ULTIMATELY ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION OUR CHILDREN RECEIVE. THERE SEEMS TO BE THIS GENERAL BELIEF THAT THE MORE MONEY WE THROW AT EDUCATION, THE BETTER THE SYSTEM WILL GET. THIS HAS NOT HELPED IN THE PAST, IT WILL NOT HELP IN THE FUTURE. THERE MUST BE A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN THE DIRECTION OF EDUCATION STARTING FROM THE TOP AND WORKING IT’S WAY DOWN. WE MUST GET BACK TO TEACHING RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, ETHICS, AND MORALS. THESE ARE THE SALT AND PEPPER OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. WITHOUT THEM, EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO BE BLAND AND TASTELESS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE 40% DROP-OUT RATES, NOT JUST IN ROWAN COUNTY, BUT ACROSS OUR ENTIRE STATE AND NATION. THE CURRENT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RECENTLY ENDORSED A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR THE RCCC THAT INVOLVES MORE THAN $3 MILLION DOLLARS IN LOCAL FUNDS. RCCC HAS ALREADY IDENTIFIED THE NEED TO MOVE TOWARDS MORE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGICAL COURSES OF STUDY. AS A COMMISSIONER, I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH RCCC TO DEVELOP THE BEST POSSIBLE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE CITIZENS OF ROWAN COUNTY IN ORDER TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE.

AS A COMMISSIONER, I WILL WORK TO EVALUATE ALL JOBS AND POSITIONS WITHIN THE COUNTY EMPLOYEE WORKFORCE. WITH CAREFUL STUDY, WE WILL STRIVE TO HAVE THE MOST EFFICIENT COUNTY OPERATION POSSIBLE, WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE VERY REASON FOR OUR EXISTENCE, “QUALITY SERVICE TO THE TAXPAYING CITIZENS OF ROWAN COUNTY.” ANYONE CAN PROMISE A REDUCTION IN TAXES, BUT BEFORE THIS CAN BE DONE AN IN DEPTH ASSESSMENT OF ALL COUNTY GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS WOULD NEED TO BE CONDUCTED. WE MUST DETERMINE WHAT SERVICES ARE NECESSARY AND WHAT SERVICES ARE NOT NECESSARY. GOVERNMENT MUST GET BACK TO PROVIDING ONLY THE NECESSARY FUNCTIONS FOR IT’S CITIZENS, INSTEAD OF TRYING TO BE EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE. IF THERE IS FAT IN THE LOCAL ROWAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT OPERATION, I WILL WORK TO FIND IT, AND THEN PASS ANY SAVINGS ON THE THE TAXPAYERS IN THE FORM OF A TAX CUT. WE ALL MUST REALIZE THAT GOVERNMENT IS THE ONLY BUSINESS ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH THAT THE WORSE JOB THEY DO, THE BIGGER THEY GET. REDUCING THE TAX BURDEN ON BUSINESSES BY REDUCING THE TAX RATE, IMPROVING OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND EDUCATING OUR WORKFORCE, AND IMPROVING OUR LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE WILL BRING MORE AND BETTER BUSINESSES TO ROWAN COUNTY. I WILL NOT SUPPORT A DIRECT PAYMENT OF INCENTIVES TO ANY BUSINESS TO LOCATE OR STAY IN ROWAN COUNTY. THIS PROCESS MUST STOP NOW! I WILL DO EVERYTHING WITHIN MY LEGAL AUTHORITY TO PROTECT PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS FOR THE TAXPAYING CITIZENS OF ROWAN COUNTY. EVERYONE MUST REALIZE THAT FOR THEM TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO MANAGE THEIR OWN PROPERTY, THOSE SAME RIGHTS WILL EXTEND TO THEIR NEIGHBORS AS WELL. I WOULD WORK WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE CURRENT ZONING ORDINANCES OF ROWAN COUNTY TO GIVE ALL PROPERTY OWNERS AS MUCH LEEWAY AS POSSIBLE IN USING THEIR PROPERTY FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE THEY DESIRE. I WOULD NOT SUPPORT “LAND USE PLANNING” FOR ROWAN COUNTY. REGARDLESS OF WHAT ANYONE TELLS YOU, LAND USE PLANNING WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN MORE AND MORE COUNTY CONTROL OF YOUR PROPERTY. YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PAY THE TAXES ON IT, BUT THEY WILL ULTIMATELY CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT DO WITH IT. I WILL WORK WITHIN THE SCOPE OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT AS IT CURRENTLY EXISTS TO DETERMNINE WHAT STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS ALL OF THESE CONCERNS. AS A SMALL BUSINESS MAN AND (LIFETIME) RESIDENT OF ROWAN COUNTY, I SHARE THESE SAME CONCERNS. WE ALL MUST REALIZE, THAT QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES ARE NOT NECESSARILY BEST ADDRESSED BY POLITICIANS. THEY SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE VERY PEOPLE WHO ULTIMATELY ARE MOST AFFECTED. AS A COUNTY COMMISSIONER, I WANT NOTHING MORE THAN TO SERVE MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, AND THE PEOPLE OF ROWAN COUNTY. I INTEND TO REPRESENT THOSE WHO CAN LEAST AFFORD TO REPRESENT THEMSELVES. I WILL FIGHT VIGOROUSLY FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE LITTLE GUY. I WILL NOT REPRESENT THE SPECIAL INTEREST GOALS OF ANY GROUP OTHER THAN THE TAXPAYERS OF ROWAN COUNTY.

Carl Ford
320 Ketchie Estate
China Grove, NC 28023

Phone: 704.305.3541

Email: Click Here

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Campaign Pictures