We wonder if most of the audience left the Hilton Ballroom for the C of C Candidate Forum because they were bored as the same questions were asked in 3 different formats, or just because they heard enough.
Moderator Mark Evans, at one point felt compelled to say; "Don't blame me, I didn't write the questions."
As a supporter of Dr. Don Emmons, it was disappointing to know he would not make the forum. Mark only noted he was absent, but failed to note the reason. Dr. Don is a DVM and he missed the first forum in order to be with his brother, who was in intensive care in Orlando, the result of being broadsided by a drunken driver. Last night, as the chief surgeon, Don had to be working.
We know how he would have answered the questions, and we also know the voters would have liked to hear him & see him, but it wasn't to be.
As for the forum, the questions basically were, are you for the sign code or against it? Are you for funding outside organizations such as TREO & MTCVB? Are you for or against a Property Tax? What about the Bed Tax?
Our take on the candidates?
The winners were Mike Zinkin for mayor ("NO EARMARKS & NO PROPERTY TAX") and young Matt Rabb newcomer Mark Finchem both of who pretty much agreed with Zinkin.
The losers: KC Carter who answered almost every question by saying the council is looking into it.
Mayor Loomis, who needed a script to give an opening & closing remarks and was so pro business, it was laughable.
Satish Hiremath--personable and nice, but could only repeat that he is a businessman.
Lou Waters seemed nice, but kept reminding us he didn't know too much and was a reporter, not a politician.
Joe Hornat & Mary Snider both were for everything the Chamber would have wanted, which was no surprise.
Conclusion--- If you're concerned more about doing what is best for the people, you have only ONE CHOICE for Mayor---Mike Zinkin.
The best candidates for Council? We still believe Dr. Don Emmons is a wise choice, but Matt Rabb & Mark Finchem are certainly more "citizen centric.
