SPURGER – A meet and greet for the Precinct 4 Commissioner candidates has been scheduled for Thursday, July 23, 7 p.m. at the Spurger Lions Club building.
For this coming election, given the unique circumstances, the constituents’ participation and getting to know the candidates is especially important, according to the county’s GOP chairman Robert “Chappy” Poynter.
At present, Donna Hudson, who is the widow of the late commissioner Buck Hudson, was appointed to the position. Buck Hudson died in May and was running unopposed for reelection in November.
“As you know we have a county commissioners position open up after the primary elections this past May. This is rare and the way this will work, since the Republican County Chair and the CEC has to decide which candidate will go on the ballot in November, we want your input,” he said.
The six candidates who have filed to run for the position are: Donna Hudson; David La Grange; David Gilbert; Mathew Johnson; Brent Marcum and Robert Odom.
For the meet and greet, the doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and according to Poynter, the voters will get the chance to meet all six candidates. Each candidate will have five to eight minutes to talk to the voters, and after each one has given a speech, the forum will open up for a question-and-answer session where the voters will get the chance to ask each candidate questions.
“As you leave, you will be asked to quietly and discreetly, write on a 5x7 card and fold it in half the candidate of your choice and drop that into a box. The CEC will meet the following week, and look at you the voters' choice, and will make a decision from there,” Poynter said.
The venue is located at 20643 FM 92 South in Spurger, across the street from the fire station. Poynter said that the forum is the fairest way to conduct the business as to who will appear on the ballot in November for the general election.
“We want input from the voters themselves. You must have voted in the primary election or be a registered voter, to participate in this mock election. This is your chance to make your voices count,” he said.
He added that to keep in mind when voting, the qualifications should include, but not be limited to: candidates possessing some financial experience, budgeting experience and good organizational skills. “After all, these are your tax dollars at work, and these people will be deciding how to spend your tax dollars,” he said.
