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MADISON — Economic development and lowering the town’s water rates are among the issues on the minds of the seven candidates seeking the offices of mayor and aldermen.

Christopher Phillips is challenging Mayor Micky Silvers. Arthur Gwaltney, Charles Mann, D.R. “Bubba” Stewart, Janice Richardson Tate and Justin Terrell are vying for the three available seats on the Board of Aldermen.

Election Day is Tuesday for residents of Madison, Mayodan, Stoneville, Wentworth and Eden, but only races in Madison and Stoneville are contested. Early voting is open through Saturday.

MICKY SILVERS

Silvers, 58, is seeking a second term as mayor. He previously served on the Board of Aldermen for 12 years. He is a planner with Weil-McLain in Eden.

Silvers said he knows where the town has been and where it’s going. One project he’s involved with is the Interstate 73/N.C. 68 Connector, which would give western Rockingham County residents quicker access to Greensboro and could open up more economic development opportunities in the Madison area.

“I think that would aid the whole western side of the county and not just Madison,” Silvers said.

He said the town is beginning to see “glimmers of hope” in terms of its retail businesses, with some once-empty downtown storefronts becoming occupied. He would like the town to attract some larger industry to add to its tax base and provide jobs.

CHRISTOPHER PHILLIPS

Phillips, 40, has never held an elected office. He is a machine operator with a Stoneville company.

If elected , Phillips said he wants to be visible to the public. He plans to open the mayor’s office to residents twice a week to hear their concerns.

“I want to be the people’s mayor. I want to be a hands-on mayor,” he said.

Phillips said he wants to give a face-lift to some downtown buildings and have a mural painted downtown.

He also wants to work on lowering the town’s water rates, which he said residents have complained are too high.

ARTHUR GWALTNEY

Gwaltney, 69, owns a staffing service. He has served on the Board of Aldermen for 18 years.

“I still have the desire to serve the community of Madison,” he said.

Gwaltney said he wants to help make Madison more “people-friendly” so as to attract more residents.

He believes some people are discouraged by the town’s high tax rate. Gwaltney wants the town to implement cost-cutting measures to lower taxes and reduce water rates.

CHARLES MANN

Mann, 43, is a warehouse worker who has never held public office.

He said he wants to learn more about how local government works.

“I figure everybody should run for office at least once,” Mann said. “If elected, I’d want to keep the size of government as small as possible and keep spending down as much as possible.”

Mann said he also thinks more town issues should be put before residents for a vote.

D.R. “BUBBA” STEWART

Stewart, 58, is a retired Madison police officer. He has never held an elected office.

Stewart said his main campaign issue is controlling the town’s rising water and sewer rates. He said stimulus money or state grants could help the town offset those increases.

He also wants the town to attract new businesses to increase its tax base and take pressure off homeowners.

JANICE RICHARDSON TATE

Tate, 64, is a retired educator. She has sat on the Board of Aldermen for six years.

Tate wants more job opportunities for residents. She said she would like to help bring in more businesses while maintaining the ones that are here so the town’s residents won’t have to go elsewhere to find employment.

Tate also wants to help make the planned western branch library a reality. The current library is crowded and inadequate, she said. “It’s just not acceptable. We really do need a new facility.” She feels a new library also could spur growth and help attract new business.

JUSTIN TERRELL

Terrell, 26, is a band teacher at Reidsville Middle School. He has never held public office.

Terrell said he’s running to become involved in local government and to represent the town’s younger residents. He said the biggest issues facing the town are finding ways to generate more money and bringing in more businesses and jobs for residents.

Contact Jonnelle Davis at 627-4881, Ext. 126, or jonnelle.davis@news-record.com