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CORAPEAKE – David “Dave” Forsythe is a candidate for the Gates County Board of Commissioners.

Forsythe currently resides on Desert Road in Corapeake. His first home in the county (purchased in 1988) was located along NC 32 in Corapeake. During his career as a Civil / Environmental Engineer, he has also lived for short periods of time in Italy, Japan, and Florida, but always returned to Gates County.

His wife, Ashley, teaches first grade at T.S. Cooper Elementary School. Three of his children have graduated from Gates County High School: Sarah (2004), Kristin (2006), and Gwendolyn (2024). Two other children, Jillian and Jarret, are currently eighth graders at Central Middle School.

“I am proud of each of them for the values they reflect, the love they give, and what they contribute to our society,” Forsythe said of his family.

As to why he chose to seek election to the board of commissioners, Forsythe said, “Many of us are highly dissatisfied with government, politics, news, and many other things. I regularly feel like I cannot get a straight answer, and everything is costing more.

“In our small county with limited funds, we need to be even more mindful of how we spend our money,” he added. “Taking from cash reserves year after year is not something I support. It is just hiding the fact you are spending more.

“Questions from citizens should be welcomed and not avoided,” Forsythe noted. “I think at every meeting the county leadership should be willing to hear from the public if the public wants to speak, especially for things they do not really want to hear. It should not be about who you know, it is not about how well educated you are, it is not even about whether we can afford things. It is about listening to those who voted for you, not a select few. You cannot satisfy everyone, but you can listen. I will do that.”

Forsythe said some folks are blessed to be raised in a rural community or on a farm.

“I was not so fortunate,” he stated. “I started out in a nearby city, but luckily as a teenager my family moved to the outer suburbs and I began working on a large hog farm as a teenager. I took to it, I loved it. I learned from the brothers who employed me (and my mother) to be self-reliant, to do plumbing, electrical wiring, welding, vehicle repairs. I plowed, disc’ d, sprayed, and much more to help with the peanuts, corn, soybeans, and hay. I loaded straw, I loaded hay, I loaded hogs for the market. It is tough but decent work with lots of good people making an honest living.” Forsythe said those farmers encouraged him to go to college.

“With their support I was able to be the first member of anyone of my family to get a college degree (Engineering),” he said

Forsythe noted that he has participated in the Gates County community in many ways over the years: married at Eureka Baptist Church in Corapeake in 1981; operated a trash collection business locally for four years (1988-92); coached baseball and softball over the years beginning in 1992 and as recently as 2024 at Eason’s Ballpark; and previously served as a School Board advisor.

“My wife and I have been active band boosters for several years and will continue to be as our youngest moves up to the high school after this next year at the middle school. I engage in our community and will continue to be. Please consider voting for me in November,” Forsythe concluded.