Editor’s note: Bob Addison is running against Timothy Calhoun for the Surry District seat on Surry County’s Board of Supervisors. The Smithfield Times sent the following questionnaire to both candidates.

Age: 70

Occupation: Business owner

Prior elected offices held: Surry Town Council

1. Can you briefly summarize why you decided to run for the Board of Supervisors?

Seventy years living in Surry, made enormous contributions to the county including the many businesses following: Rocky Bottom Grill (now Surry Seafood Co. under the ownership of Pack Brothers Hospitality), Addison’s Convenience (now Surry Quick Stop), Bacon’s Castle Grocery, The Circle Store in Claremont, The Dendron Market, Addison’s Mobile Home Park, Surry Oil Co., Tidewater Propane, Surry Laundromat, Surry Self Storage, Surry-Sussex Services, Surry Convenience and various rental properties.

2. What should be Surry County’s top priority right now?

Improving emergency services further – top priority.

3. What more can Surry County do to ensure a timely response to ambulance calls?

Increase budget.

4. Did the supervisors make the right decision in June by lowering the real estate tax rate to 71 cents per $100 in light of reassessed property values, and postponing a $4 million, two-year plan for parks and recreation improvements? Why or why not?

Yes. There is already a swimming facility available but the parks and recreation building does need upgrades.

5. Does Surry County contribute too little, too much, or just enough local money to its school system?

Just enough.

6. Did the supervisors make the right decision in April when they amended Surry’s comprehensive plan to limit solar farms to 10% of the county’s developable land? Why or why not?

Yes. There has to be limitations.

7. What can be done to reverse Surry County’s decades-long trend of declining population?

Increase commerce including proposed data center near Dominion Energy.