Citizens meet the candidates at Partnership forum

Folks attended the Meet the Candidates forum held Tuesday at the Marion Depot by the McDowell County Partnership for Children and Families. (Photo by Mike Conley/nconley@mcdowellnews.com)

By: Mike Conley | McDowell News
Published: October 06, 2010

Tuesday evening, candidates running for local offices were asked how they would help children and families if they get elected.

For the first time, the McDowell Partnership for Children & Families hosted a “Meet the Candidates” event. Held at the Marion Depot, the event was intended to help local folks find out how the candidates for elected office stand on the issues, particularly those that concern children and families.

The first hour was a meet-and-greet reception. This allowed people the opportunity to talk with the candidates individually. The second hour consisted of a panel discussion moderated by Scott Hollifield of The McDowell News and Van McKinney of WBRM Radio. No questions were taken from the audience during the second hour. Instead, a panel from the Partnership asked them questions about children and family issues.

A total of 25 candidates or their designated representatives attended the event. They included John Glenn and Dudley Greene, who are running for sheriff; Brad Greenway, who is running for re-election as district attorney; Judges Tommy Davis and Marvin Sparrow, who are seeking re-election to the bench; Don Ramsey, who is seeking another term as clerk of court; Dean Buff, Josh Dobson, Linda Harwood, Michael Lavender, Larry Miller and David Walker, who are all running for county commissioner; Terry Frank and Dewey Rayburn, who are seeking the Glenwood seat on the School Board; Rex Wood, who is running for the Marion seat on the School Board; Bob Brackett and Wayne Miller, who are running for the Nebo seat on the School Board; Russell Neighbors, Priscilla Owenby and Micah Wheat, who are seeking the P.G. seat on the School Board; and Mitch Gillespie and Beth Ostgaard, who are running for the N.C. House. Judge Randy Pool could not attend but sent a prepared statement. In addition, representatives from both U.S. Sen. Richard Burr and N.C. Joe Sam Queen were on hand to answer questions.

An estimated 68 people listened as the candidates responded to questions about child welfare, child abuse, domestic violence, the economy’s impact on families, childhood obesity and other issues that affect households and youth.

Members of the McDowell County Board of Elections attended the event, too.

Officials with the Partnership said they hope to hold more events like this.

“I think the event was very successful,” said Alison Baldwin, administrative assistant. “It went very well for a first-time event like this.”