The Dickenson County Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Committee will host a Candidate Forum on October 16th at 6:00 P.M. at the Jettie Baker Center in Clintwood. Dr. Richard Phillips, Vice President of Academic and Student Services of Mountain Empire Community College will serve as Moderator of the forum.
All of the candidates up for the November 6th election in Dickenson County have been invited to participate in the Forum. Each Candidate will be given three minutes to tell the audience a little about themselves and their plans for the county if elected. No questions will be allowed from the audience.
This Forum will be covered by WDIC Radio and the Dickenson Star Newspaper. For more information, please call the Chamber Office at (276)926-6074.
Thats where they need to be any thing you say will be used against you only a fool would be part of their little game, why isnt some one from the county over the fourm,,,,,,,
If the audience cant ask questions? They can do the 3 minutes by putting an article in the paper. Plus they can rehearse what they are going to say. To really test them they need a few questions thrown at them. Lets say their 3 minute speech, plus 5 minutes of questions.
I will remain after the forum, in the parking lot, if I must, to allow the public the opportunity to ask questions. I know there is very little chance that I will be able to meet or visit every possible voter in the Sandlick District no matter what I want to do so whatever I can do to make this happen, hopefully they will allow it.
I have tried to get a public debate together for all Sandlick District Candidates to appear but the only response I have gotten back is either my opponent(s) will not accept or appear or that no other opponents will show up and several other excuses or reasons that have done little more than frustrate me so I have dropped it. I want a neutral moderator to orchestrate the event so it will likely not happen. I can stage a debate myself but in that case it would look like a stacked deck of cards so I don't guess I can go that route.
I have tried to show and prove that I will answer questions in public so if you have any that you would like to ask on this board or at my store or even with me at the grocery store, please feel free to do so. As far as posting here, I would have time to rehearse my answers and spell check them so I don't think my answers here are going to carry as much strength or impression but at least they will be for the public to see and hold me accountable for.
From what I hear the candidates are happy with the opportunity to speak to an audience and sure most will be willing to meet with the people after the program and answer questions. I think questions were not allowed because with over 30 candidates participating it would be midnight before the program ended. I think it will turn out great. I am looking forward to actually coming face to face with the candidates.
Thats true I didnt realize that there was that many candidates, they would be there all night long answering questions. Looking forward to hearing what each of them has to say though. I have never been much into politics but but I seem to be more interested this year. I think the older you get (40) the more you think about such things. Another sign of old age I guess.