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| Chamber political forum draws nearly 100 percent candidate participation |
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9/26/2014
By Jamie Vinson
Advocate managing
editor
A Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce political forum attracted a crowd of nearly 200 people Monday night.
The forum, held at the Gateway Regional Arts Center, drew an audience of more than 170 people, Sandy Romenesko, chamber director, said.
There was nearly 100 percent candidate participation as well.
Dan Manley, Advocate sports editor and WMST Radio personality, was emcee for the event. Amy Scarborough from Lexington also was on hand, and read submitted written statements from those candidates who had other obligations and could not attend.
Candidates for each race were called to the podium in alphabetical order to introduce themselves and present their platforms. Each candidate was given 90 seconds to speak.
Participants included:
State Senator 28th district
Ralph Alvarado (R)-Winchester
R.J. Palmer II (D)-Winchester
State Rep. 74th District
David Hale (R)-Wellington
Richard Henderson (D)-Mt. Sterling
County
commissioner District 1
Jack “Rackle” Adams (D)
James A. “Tony” Tipton (R)
County Commissioner District 3
David Rhodes (R)
Melody W. Townsend (D)
County clerk
Chris Cockrell (R)
Jenny Johnson Wells (D)
Property Valuation Administrator
Floyd Arnold (D)
Ron Long (R)
Coroner
Jimmy A. Adams (D). Adams was absent, but submitted a written statement.
Donna S. Barnes (R)
Mt. Sterling MAYOR
Allen “Buck” Prewitt
Gary Williamson
Mt. Sterling City Council
Rita K. Ballard. Ballard was absent, but submitted a written statement.
Al Botts
Michael Jones
John D. Judy was absent, but submitted a written statement.
B. Danielle King
Darrell Mandrell
Bobby Stinnett
Steve Trimble was absent, but submitted a written statement.
James A. Willoughby
Harold L. Wilson
Roger D. Barnes also appears on the ballot, but did not participate in the forum.
School board
member district 1
Mary Alice Collier
Dr. Jon Kelly Johnson was absent, but submitted a written statement.
School board
member District 2
Paula Patrick Hall
Bill R. Morgan
Catrec “Trease” Garrett also appears on the ballot, but did not participate in the forum.
Manley labeled the group of candidates running “tremendous,” and encouraged all those in attendance to speak to everyone they know—family members, friends, etc.—about the importance of voting. With such a “strong ballot,” Manley said there is no reason Montgomery County should not have a huge turnout Nov. 4 and lead the state in voter turnout.
The forum was organized by the chamber’s education/PR committee.
For an in-depth look at each candidate, see next week’s Advocate for a special candidate profile section.
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