Audubon Kids Zone’s first ever candidate forum employed a new way of holding these sorts of events, giving those up for office two questions that they must answer and two questions picked at random that were printed on a board and hidden behind paper flaps.
The gameshow-type format enlivened a necessary community event that can sometimes drag on while also attempting to reduce the number of repeat answers. Many of the questions dealt with candidates’ philosophical takes on the job they are campaigning for and not as much on specific issues facing the county and city currently.
To keep this article to more of an apples-to-apples comparison and an acceptable length, the Hendersonian is writing about the candidates’ responses of the two must-answer questions given to each group.
A familiar theme seemed to pop up in many of the candidates’ answers—listening—evidenced by responses given by magistrates to a must-answer question about building trust.
James Franks, a District 2 candidate, said elected officials must be accessible by phone and social media and should hold some sort of office hours so that they can meet.
Taylor Tompkins, the District 2 incumbent, said trust is gained by seeking to understand the other’s position and then hopefully each can find some common ground. He also said speak plainly and follow through. “Say what you mean, and mean what you say,” Tompkins said.
“Shut up and listen,” said Jay Randolph, a candidate for Fourth District magistrate. He said you must “listen because you can learn.”
Jon Douglas, a Democrat for District 1 Magistrate who will be on the ballot in November’s general election, said trust starts with showing up and listening.
The other must-answer question for the magistrates involved action taken when asked to support something that they don’t fully agree with.
Franks said he’d ask questions and learn as much as possible, and at the end of the day, he’d have to feel comfortable with his decision.
Tompkins said he’d consider all sides and gather all the information he could before making a decision.
Randolph said he’d listen to every person’s view and try to keep his own views aside.
Douglas said he works with integrity and teamwork, and he’d ask questions and won’t compromise his core values.
County Judge-Executive
Current County Judge-Executive Brad Schneider, a Republican, said a concern that deserves more attention is that currently many people don’t have a good understanding of how local government works, and he said that brings up ill-will about the process. He hopes a better job explaining will improve the tone surrounding local government.
Schneider said building trust begins with the Golden Rule. He said the way you handle yourself in private correlates to how you handle yourself publicly. And he said it’s important to do what you say you’re going to do.
Timmy Dunn, who is challenging Schneider in the Republican primary, said a concern that deserves more attention is representation. He said when people are required to pay taxes and local government salaries, “and then we don’t feel represented. Then we have a problem.”
Dunn said building trust requires that officials show that they work for the constituents.
Lisa Thompson Meyer and Les Jenkins-Mackey will square off in the Democratic primary for county judge-executive.
Thompson Meyer said a concern that deserves more attention is accessibility for everyday people, adding that the 9:30 a.m. start time for Henderson Fiscal Court meetings is not conducive for those who work. She also said the county judge and magistrates should have open times to meet with residents.
Thompson Meyer said building trust requires being “open and honest.” And an official doesn’t try to pull any punches, she said.
Jenkins-Mackey said that a concern that deserves more attention is communication and transparency. He said connected to that is educating people how county government works.
He also said that we’re living in a bi-partisan world, and “meeting people where they’re at” is key in building trust. He said he attends both Democrat and Republican party meetings. He said if you don’t step across the aisle, you’ll never bridge the gap.
Jailer
Republican candidates for Henderson County Jailer are Eddie Vaught, a captain at Henderson County Detention Center, and Anthony Willett, a lieutenant in the Henderson County Sherriff’s Office with earlier experience at the jail
Vaught said residents should care who the jailer is because the jailer will maintain order and a well-run jail will help inmates to do well when they come out.
Willett said “what happens at the jail affects everyone in the community.” A jail run correctly takes care of inmates and deputies, he said.
Vaught said family members who call with concerns about an inmate will be told what they can by law be told. He said he learned long ago that everyone is someone’s special and the jail will let them know “we do care about their loved one.”
Willett said family members will be treated with respect. He said jail staff will look into every incident, big or small, that family members call about.
Coroner
Dewayne Reneer and Shelia Patterson, both Republicans, are running for coroner.
Reneer said that a community should care who the coroner is because the right coroner will go through all the proper steps of a case.
Reneer said a family of someone who died sees him as full of compassion, empathy, sympathy and that he is trustworthy. Not on just that day, but the next and the next, he said.
Patterson said the right coroner will help families understand the issues and advocate for the deceased when there’s often no one else who can.
Patterson said a family of someone who has died will see her as someone with compassion and sympathy. She said she treats “those families as we would want our own family treated.”
Henderson City Commission
- Adam Blythe said that building trust depends on an elected official walking the walk. “Your actions much match what you’re saying,” he said.
Regarding reasons why residents who live paycheck-to-paycheck should care about city government, Blythe said, “Everything we’re doing is affecting their lives.”
- Tre Perkins said building trust depends on having conversations, and he said he’s always open to meet and sit down and talk.
Regarding reasons why residents who live paycheck-to-paycheck should care about city government, Perkins said residents need to know what they’re putting their money into.
- Robert Pruitt said that he’s going to listen to residents. He said–in seven terms as a commissioner–when he says he’s going to do something, he does it.
Regarding reasons why residents who live paycheck-to-paycheck should care about city government, Pruitt mentioned the city’s fight again Big Rivers and said he led the charge to get back millions of dollars from the utility.
- Chris Thomas said trust can be earned or lost, and that being a competent, consistent person of integrity leads to trust.
Regarding reasons why residents who live paycheck-to-paycheck should care about city government, Thomas said tax dollars are spent on roads, electricity and safety—things that are important to all people.
- Kristie Randolph said trust begins with a conversation. “I am readily available all the time,” she said.
Regarding reasons why residents who live paycheck-to-paycheck should care about city government, some people need to make a decision among paying rent, paying utilities or eating, and what can the city do to help them, Randolph said.
- Nick Whitt said, regarding trust, he works on being transparent as a city commissioner. He said he’s gone out of his way to communicate with residents via social media and said you meet people where they are.
For reasons why people living paycheck-to-paycheck should care about city government, Whitt said local governments are the most responsive form of government and can assist individuals. A couple of positive points for the city is that the commission has cut property tax rates in his term, and it owns its utilities, which allows for some of the cheapest rates in the state.
District Judge, First Division
Candidates Ashley Hampton and Lindsey Noller Turner will appear on November’s general election ballot.
Asked about why people should care about who is on the bench, Hampton said that a district judge can change someone’s life for the better. And in response to a question about a person needing help and not consequences, Hampton said effective judges see the whole picture and that programs are in place to help defendants, and a judge must assess if they need the programs. “We don’t want to see people back in court again,” she said.
Asked about why people should care about who is on the bench, Noller Turner said that judge sets the tone for justice in the community. And in response to a question about a person needing help and not consequences, Noller Turner said she doesn’t see it as help versus consequences and would utilize both. She said programs should be utilized and people need to be held responsible for their actions.
Unopposed candidates
Finally, candidates running unopposed also were given a minute to speak.
Joe McGarrh, running for Henderson County School board, said that school board members have the power to set district policy and budget; evaluate, hire and fire the superintendent; and set school tax rates. He said school board members can assist the public in getting in touch with the superintendent and others.
Steve Gold, running for reelection to the county attorney seat, commended his staff. “I’ve got a great team.” He also said—in regards to the current political environment—that everyone should stay away from contempt in discussions. “Hope over hate. Respect over rage. Builders over destroyers,” he said.
Carrie Smith, running for county clerk, said she’s worked in the county clerk’s office for 22 years, with the last four years as the elections deputy. “Customer service is my top priority,” she said.
Leslie Newman, running for district judge, second division, said a district judge’s job is to uphold the law without regard to personal views. Some tenets of the job are due process, fairness, equal justice and access to justice, she said.
