Rockingham County — Candidates for county commission and clerk of court told voters they would prioritize emergency services funding, transparency and practical experience at a local candidate forum that also included a contested section on a proposed casino development.

County commission candidates Kevin Southern, Greg Ziegler and Paul C. Wilson highlighted emergency services, recruitment and retention for public-safety personnel, and revenue-neutral budget approaches. Southern said "Revenue neutral should always be the baseline goal for county commissioner," while Ziegler said the county must reinstate benefits and fund EMS, fire and 9‑1‑1 to keep the community safe. Paul Wilson, who works in substance-abuse and recovery fields, emphasized taking care of county employees and exploring transitional-living options for people in recovery.

Many candidates on the commission panel opposed a casino proposal that had been discussed previously, citing lack of transparency in past handling and potential local harms. Commissioners and candidates urged a public process and, where mentioned, advocated a voter referendum to decide large, controversial projects.

Kelly Stanfield Carter, the candidate for clerk of court, described the clerk's role as life‑event recordkeeping — adoptions, estates, criminal and traffic records — and said she has "29 years in the clerk's office." She discussed recent implementation of Tyler Technology (Odyssey/Enterprise Justice) and the need for careful procedure and training to ensure public records are accurate and accessible.

Why it matters: County commissioners set budget priorities that affect emergency response, employee compensation, and capital projects. The clerk of court oversees records systems that affect residents' legal navigation; technology upgrades cited at the forum have practical effects on access and accuracy.

No official votes or ordinances were passed at the event.