PILOT MOUNTAIN — Two seats on the Pilot Mountain Board of Commissioners will be up for grabs in the 2009 municipal elections later this year.

The positions held by long-time Commissioner Carolyn Boyles and appointed Commissioner Andrew French will be open to the election process when filing is held July 3 at noon through July 17 at noon. The cost to file is $6.

Boyles said Sunday evening that she won’t make the decision whether to run again until closer to filing time, likely in July.

“I have no idea. I’m just taking it one day at a time,” Boyles said of the decision to be made.

Four years ago, Boyles had announced that she wouldn’t be running for re-election, but then had a change of heart during the filing period and ran successfully for the seat.

“There was a lot at stake and I had some things I needed to see completed,” she said of her change of mind. “But I’ve come to realize there’s always going to be something we’re working on that I want to see completed, something new in the works.”

Boyles is in her 18th year on the board of commissioners. She was appointed just less than two years into a four-year term held by then-Commissioner Melvin Lambe, who was appointed to the mayor’s post. Then she was re-elected to four more four-year terms following her appointed time.

French was appointed last year to fill a commissioner’s seat previously held by now-Mayor Earl Sheppard, who was elected to the mayor’s post two years into his first term on the board.

“It is a long time off,” French said of making the decision to run for office. “I’ve never run for office. This was an appointment.

“I’ve been pretty busy with the Golden LEAF things and I’ve been enjoying that and am part of a good team,” he said Sunday. “I definitely will consider it, but I want to talk to the other commissioners and Earl to see if my services are wanted or if they want a change. I also want to reach out to those in delivery of services like the police department, rescue squad and fire department, and get their feel.”

He said he sees his position as commissioner as a community service role. “It doesn’t matter what capacity I serve in as long as I serve my community,” French said. “If I feel there are competent candidates that filed that would fit with the board members now, then I might not would run.

“Yeah, I’m interested and I’m satisfied with the job I’m doing,” he continued. “I think more than likely than not (he will file). It is kind of early.”

French said he has been pleased that the current board is working together to put aside personal preferences and let the democratic process work as it is designed to, such as in the case of the liquor-by-the-drink referendum when commissioners who didn’t necessarily support liquor-by-the-drink wanted to leave the final decision up to the voters and went ahead with holding a referendum.

“The votes have been unanimous since I was appointed, and that’s great,” French said.

He said he is excited about the possibility of putting a Surry Community College satellite site in Pilot Mountain that will “draw traffic” and will help in training those who need jobs. The project is part of the Golden LEAF grant work that is going on county-wide.

“Whether or not I decide to run, or whether I get elected or not, I’ll find some way to provide community service. I think that’s what most people do,” French said.

Contact Wendy Byerly Wood at wbyerly-wood@mtairynews.com or 719-1923.