Newberry candidates face off at forum

Election is Tuesday

Candidates for Newberry mayor and city commission addressed questions from the Newberry-Jonesville Chamber of Commerce and from members of the audience on Tuesday.

About 20 people attended the forum in City Hall. The meeting lasted about two hours, beginning at 7 p.m.

Debbie Boyd, member of the Chamber and former state representative and city commissioner, was the moderator for the evening.

“I feel like I’ve come full circle,” Boyd said after the event.

Boyd sat as a candidate on the same dais in 2002 for city commissioner. She spent four years on the commission before being elected to the state house for four years from 2006-2010.  She said the feeling was much different from the moderator’s standpoint.

“I remember back to my first question forum in 2002 in that same room… I was green, I was so nervous,” Boyd said. “Being moderator is quite different; I had a lot of fun.”

The candidates were all in attendance and sat in order of group (Mayor, Group 4 seat, Group 5 seat) and then alphabetically. Each candidate had two minutes to answer each question. The order of answering the questions rotated so every candidate had the opportunity to speak first.

“By the end of the forum it seemed like the candidates were a lot more relaxed, which I like to see,” Boyd said. “Whenever people relax you tend to see more of their true side, I think.”

Issues that were discussed included the candidate’s vision for Newberry in five years, plans for encouraging business growth with the expected growth in tourism, and comparing the city cash reserve to that of other local cities.

There was a five minute break due to technical difficulties regarding the TV broadcast. It was televised live on Cox channel 97.

Joy Glanzer, director of the Chamber of Commerce, said she received some texts and e-mails from the viewers after the forum.

“We got some great feedback from the audience,” Glanzer said. “They said they appreciated it and got some good information from it.”

At the end of the Chamber’s question round, the candidates were asked a question that was submitted by a member of the audience. That question asked about the possibility of a police department in Newberry, and all candidates seemed to be in agreement. Though each was supportive of the idea, the consensus was that it is not currently financially feasible.

Gayle Pons, Newberry city clerk, was present at the forum. She said she thought the forum was a success and wonders what the results will be come election day.

“They all made very good points,” Pons said. “I’m not sure how it’s going to go.”

Glanzer said that the Chamber was pleased with the forum and the candidates’ responses.

“We thought the candidates were able to fully describe their positions and to help the public understand their views,” she said.

There will be a Meet the Candidates session at the commission meeting Monday. Election Day is Tuesday, April 12.