[MARCH 8,
2006]
A voters forum brought five of the eight Logan County
Board candidates out to the Starbucks coffee shop at Lincoln Christian College's
Warehouse this morning.
[pictures from
debate]
The Logan County primary is set to see four contests between
Republican candidates; all are running for county board positions.
There are no other party contests scheduled in Logan County.
Presenting themselves and their views on county matters this
morning were Dan Meyer from District 2, Gloria Luster and James H.
Griffin from District 5, and Michael D. McIntosh and Paul Gleason
running for District 6.
Tom O'Donohue moderated the forum. He said that Bob Farmer from
District 2 declined participation. Also absent were Ronald Rohlfs
and John Stewart from District 3. Both had indicated that they
planned to attend, O'Donohue said.
The candidates were given time to provide a brief background on
themselves and state their goals in office if elected. Then they
were given specific questions that had been submitted in advance and
had been pre-screened by the chamber's government-education panel.
The questions varied some by district.
Questions and responses primarily focused on the type of growth
they would like to see in short and long term and how it could be
done while maintaining a budget. Closing in on the comprehensive
plan, rezoning issues, capitalizing on tourism opportunities and the
benefits it could bring were among the strong points presented.
A strong opinion agreed on by all was the importance
of integrated, open communications between city and county
government leaders and the economic development, chamber and Main
Street agencies. Recent successes in attracting businesses that will
help our economy and job situation were credited to having improved
communications and the strength of that unity.
Candidates underscored they support full funding for the Logan
County Health Department and the tourism office, which have had cuts
in years or year past.
Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce and CITV5 sponsored the
forum.
CITV5 will be broadcasting the debate and individual candidate
interviews. Current rebroadcast times are noon, 3 p.m., 8 p.m. and
midnight. As much streaming video of these broadcasts as the station
can support will be offered for non-cable access viewers.
