Candidate Forum attendance fair

- Preston Martin at the podium -

The Fisher County Candidate Forum was presented Thursday night, 6 p.m., in the Roby High School auditorium. Pat Thomson, Johnnie Howell and Jerry Marshall managed the proceedings.

Representatives stood up and campaigned for Michael Bob Starr, Jodey Arrington, and Greg Garrett, all republican candidates for U. S. congress.

Ricky Thompson and John Young, both republicans running for 32nd Judicial District attorney, spoke about their qualifications and goals for the office. There were a few swipes made against each other and a pretty intense, uncomfortable moment when Young lashed out at the crowd for hiding behind the computer screen to make anonymous remarks against his family.

County attorney candidates Michael Hall, democrat, and Jim Hargrove, republican went on stage next. Some light swipes were made, but no one got too dirty.

Sheriff candidates took the stage next. In order of who spoke first was H. T. Fillingim; incumbent J. A. Robinson; and Billy Spears, all running on the democratic ticket. The sheriff was well-spoken, and all three candidates were in agreement over the issues.

Candidates for Precinct 1 and Precinct 3 commissioners filed onto the stage next. This included democrats Hal Ely and Gordon Pippin, incumbent, for the Precinct 1 race: incumbent Preston Martin, democrat; candidate Bobby Hunt, democrat; and candidate Santos Flores, republican, for the Precint 3 seat. Josh Helms, republican candidate for Precinct 3, was not present. There was camaraderie among the men, and Gordon Pippin stole the show with his loquaciousness. He and Ely threw some goodhearted jabs. Martin was the most prepared for the questions that the candidates had been given beforehand to answer.

Overall it was an entertaining and enlightening evening.