News-Record.com

We're watching who may become the next chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, and while nobody is willing to call it just yet, it appears that Commissioner Melvin "Skip" Alston may be more of a frontrunner than he's letting on.

"I would love to be chairman, but I don’t think I have the votes, I think it’s going to be Kay (Cashion) and John Parks," Alston said.

The next chairman, commissioners have said, could be either Cashion or Alston, who are both Democrats. It seems that Alston is edging ahead for now.

"I’d say right now that Skip’s the frontrunner," said Chairman Kirk Perkins, who will hand the reins over to another chairman on Dec. 1. The next chairman is expected to be a Democrat, as the majority party on the board. The chairman sets the agendas and leads the discussion of the Board of Commissioners. They also can help determine which issues get more attention than others through that power.

And a couple Republicans we talked to today seemed to be leaning toward Alston.

"I hadn't really had a chance to sit down and talk with Kay," said Republican Commissioner Linda Shaw. "At this point, I was leaning toward Skip."

Even Republican Commissioner Billy Yow seemed to get behind Alston. The two have become somewhat notorious for their heated discussions between one-another in meetings.

"Skip is the most influential among the many of them," said Yow, referring to the majority that Democrats have on the 11-member board. "He’s, by far, the most knowledgeable of the Democrats."

Alston may also be gaining favor by saying he'd support a Republican for a vice chairman.

"If I was chairman I would insist that we have Republican," Alston said.

For the past year, Alston has hammered on setting up some type of efficiency plan for the county that would look at positions, department expenses and other aspects of spending in the county departments - something that's attractive to Republicans.

"I know the bonds passed and I know that we’re probably going to have problems solve," Shaw said, referring to an almost-certain property tax rate increase expected in next year's budget that would be linked to bond referenda that passed in May.

Shaw mentioned that she appreciates Alston's ongoing emphasis on efficiency. Yow is also on board with Alston's plans.

"In the last couple of years, I think some of me and Steve (Arnold) has rubbed off on (Alston)," Yow said. Commissioner Steve Arnold often opposes any tax increases, and resists spending increases too.

"I think when you talk about efficiency, that Skip and I line up very well," Yow said.

Cashion did not return phone calls, and Parks is out of the country.