Roger Safrit, a blacksmith, said financial stability is his platform.
“The elderly people in the town have been ignored,” Safrit said. “The way things have been upped in costs lately, people on fixed incomes can’t afford it.”
Safrit, 55, owns Rustic Creations, a blacksmithing business in Landis. Safrit learned blacksmithing from his grandfather. He worked for many years at a buffalo farm in Concord, on N.C. 49, then went to Tweetsie Railroad, a Western-themed amusement park Blowing Rock.
“I’ve done some horseshoe work, some ornamental iron,” Safrit said.
But as a master knife maker, he makes decorative knives and swords using Damascus steel — an amalgam of different metals forged into one solid piece.
“You take the piece of steel, cut it down and bring out the blade, and dip it in etching acid,” Safrit said. “The acid brings out unique designs in the steel.”
Safrit said he supports the upcoming water and sewer bond referendum.
“It’s important for people to know that the bond is not about annexation, but to replace the old water and sewer pipes,” Safrit said.
He also said he is not making any promises not to raise taxes.
“You have to do what you have to do,” Safrit said. “You need to know the money is going to the right places.” -Ben McNeely
