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Editor’s Note: For coverage of the election, The Stanly News & Press sent questions to each group of candidates. We limited their responses to 200 words per answer. Answers appear as is, with the exception of editing for grammatical/spelling errors or length. This allows potential voters to see the candidates through their own words and gives equal opportunity for the candidates to respond. We gave candidates two weeks to email their answers back.
For Badin, Demar Huntley, Gary Rife, Avonda Wilson and Sawyer Wyrick are running for two at-large seats. Huntley is the only one who responded with answers.

1. Tell us a little about your background?

Demar Huntley: I am W. Demar Huntley, and I am running for re-election in the Badin Town Council.
I grew up in Oakboro, North Carolina, and graduated from West Stanly High School and furthered my education at Fayetteville State University and Fayetteville Community College.
I have lived in Badin for more than 10 years and know the people and the issues of our community. As a volunteer firefighter at the Badin Volunteer Fire Department, I also serve our Town.

2. What has the council accomplished since you have been in office and why do you think voters should re-elect you?

Huntley: As an incumbent, I have served as the Mayor-Pro Tem of Badin for the past year.
Running for City Council means being of service to this community and continuing to work on what the Council started and is now doing.
I helped the Council get funding for the Badin Waterfront Park project and improvement of the Conference Center, as well as increasing the number of town maintenance staff to help make town cleanup more efficient as well as maintenance of town property. Let me continue to make progress for our town.

3. Why do you think you are the most qualified candidate for the position?

Huntley: I have worked tirelessly for the betterment of the community. Answering the call to service and to be a voice for our community is one of my greatest accomplishments. I want to continue to make this town the best it can be.

4. What do you think are the biggest issues most impacting residents in your community?

Huntley: Transparency is the biggest issue affecting our residents and their ability to know what is going on in the community. My focus is to understand the issues and get the word out to all who need to know about the Town and its future. Come talk to me; you will learn how focused I am on the issues and the understanding and knowledge I have of all town, county, and state requirements.

5. What would you focus on if you got elected/re-elected?

Huntley: I would focus on building a stronger community by letting the voices of our citizens be heard. I truly am a man of my word and a man of the people I stand for whom I stand. When re-elected, I will be only one of 2 people who has served on the Council long enough to understand all the project in focus and to continue efforts to complete the work started.