Candidates Face Off in Two Forums

Voters will get an opportunity to learn more about the local candidates during two forums scheduled for this week.

The Upper Catawba River Landowners Alliance (UCRLA) and the Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) will sponsor both events. The forums will be held in the main courtroom of the McDowell County Courthouse.

The first forum will be held today from 6 to 9 p.m. and will feature the candidates for the N.C. House of Representatives and the McDowell County Board of Education.

The two candidates for the 85th District seat in the N.C. House are incumbent Mitch Gillespie, a Republican, and challenger A. Everette Clark, a Democrat.

Four seats on the School Board are up for election this year. This race is nonpartisan. The Pleasant Gardens seat is now held by incumbent Priscilla Owenby, and she faces challengers Scotty Willis and Roger Hollifield.

The Marion seat is now held by Phil Tate, and he faces opposition from Janie F. Schutz.

Joe Kaylor is running unopposed for the Glenwood seat.

Wayne Miller now holds the Nebo seat, but he is facing opposition from Bill Barnette.

The second candidate forum will be held Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. and will focus on the candidates for the sheriff’s office and the clerk of Superior Court office.

The sheriff’s office is now held by Jackie Turner Sr., a Republican. He is facing opposition from A.A. “Butch” Justice, a Democrat, and Eddie Smith, who is running as a write-in candidate.

The clerk of Superior Court race is between incumbent Don Ramsey, a Democrat, and Jerry Lee Hunter, a Republican.

Invitations were sent out to all the candidates in these races, said Jeff Dreibus, a member of the UCRLA.

Each candidate has three minutes to introduce himself to the audience and make an opening statement. Members of the audience also has an opportunity to ask a question directed to one or all of the candidates.