While Meacham did not respond to rrspin.com's request, Draper answered the following questions:

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First Media Radio

Why do you feel you are qualified for the position of Mayor in Weldon?

I have owned and operated my own business, Draper Communications WLGQ, WCBT, and WXNC successfully for years. I have served on numerous boards and currently serve on the Halifax Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees and the Halifax County ABC Board of Directors. I was a Weldon Town Commissioner, and I was the Mayor of Weldon for over 20 years.

One of the most pressing issues in the town is the potential sale of the water plant to Halifax County. On this matter please state your position- whether you are in favor or against the proposal and why or why not and what is your solution to upgrading the plant?

I am not for selling Weldon’s Water plant. It would be the biggest mistake in the history of Weldon to do so. Water is today’s gold. I am not for building a $16 million water plant.

I am for upgrading our current water plant by partnering with Halifax County and obtaining grants. Under a partnership with Halifax County, Weldon can maintain ownership of the Water plant and control their destiny. This would be a win-win for both Weldon and Halifax County.

The town now owns the BB&T building. What are your plans for the BB&T building? How much money will it cost the citizens to accomplish the goal you have for the BB&T building?

I am not for moving the Town Hall into the BB&T building. Weldon could take some of that money and spend it on completing the building across from Weldon Elementary School for after school tutoring, tech lab, or whatever purpose the Committee that built the building and the Weldon City Schools think is the best use. Weldon has more pressing needs than to spend over a million dollars on a new town hall. I would sell the building to a private developer who can bring business back to Weldon.

How do you improve the business climate in Weldon?

I have always had a close relationship with the business owners and I believe this will help tremendously with improving the business climate. I have the support of nearly every one of them in Weldon. Open communication is a must and that is not happening at this time. I will reopen a dialogue with the business community. I believe forming a Weldon Business Association would also help improve the business climate. I will be an advocate and active recruiter for business in Weldon.

What are your plans for the current Weldon library and if you have a plan how much will it cost? I am not for moving the Weldon library. The current library site was given to the Town by the railroad to be used as a public library. No one from the public has said they think it’s a good idea; the library board does not even want to move it. Why spend money needlessly when we could return it to the citizens as a tax cut?

How many new businesses have opened in Weldon in the past three and a half years and what are they? How many of those have closed and why?

This question is not applicable to me, but to get an accurate number, it is important to count real operating businesses and not just permits for extra business uses for the same company, as the current mayor does.

Do you support keeping both fire stations open?

I support both fire stations staying open. Weldon is divided by railroad tracks. Many trains come thru downtown Weldon every day and when they do, they cut off fire and rescue traffic.

When an emergency arises and you need help, minutes count. A Fire station on each side of the tracks is needed to adequately protect our citizens and it would be irresponsible not to have them. The Fire Station across from the Community College was built while I was Mayor with mostly volunteer labor. The building and trucks did not cost the Weldon taxpayer anything. The Fire tax district funded this project.