Yadkin and Stokes residents went to polls with education, economic growth in mind

By Michael Hewlett and Sherry Youngquist
Winston-Salem Journal

Vote for change. That's what people in Stokes and Yadkin counties did in last week's primary elections. Republican voters in Stokes rejected the re-election bids of county Commissioners Joe and John Turpin, two brothers often criticized for failing to deal with the financing needs of county schools. Voters in Yadkin County approved the countywide sale of wine.

Neither county's population has changed significantly in the last four years, but the primary-election results may signal a shift in attitude. Many voters said they want their counties to be able to move forward in education and economic development.

"I think we've got a good chance of getting some things accomplished that we didn't before," said Marcus Kiser of King, a Republican who voted last Tuesday for three challengers who have close ties to the schools.