Questions at the Forum

It is absurd to think that the new candidates were given the forum questions while the government candidates were not. The questions brought up issues that have been around a long time. They concerned actions of the present government that have been brought up in council, printed in the news, written in the minutes, been in lawsuits, discussed at the planning commission, been part of citizens committees and workshops. In summary, the questions involved public records. They included some controversial ordinances, laws that are not being followed, poor notification of zoning hearings, codification of our laws, downtown redevelopment, the purpose of certain laws, the comprehensive survey of citizens desires, legal advertising, failure to post signs for public zoning hearings, occupational taxes, beer and wine, and the town manager's salary. If any candidates had an advantage, it should have been the candidates who were part of the government ie. Councilman Smola, Planning Members Matthews and Nasianceno. This is especially true since Barry and Valerie make citizens file a legal freedom of information act demand just to see public records, then charge them up to $20 per hour to look, plus copying fees. Most all of the new candidates have experienced this problem of obtaining information. The fact that the new candidates were sharper in their responses shows their superior ability in the face of such road blocks. The fact that these 3 government candidates had difficulty is because they had no defense for poor government decisions. As Ben Nelms' News Article so accurately stated, "The main campaign issue is Town Manager Barry Amos, which involved Town Actions and Management Role." This is what has so badly pitted friend against friend in Tyrone. We must have new management, new representatives and the citizens need to hold them to their promises. There has been too much voter apathy for years in Tyrone. Only about 20% of the registered voters actually vote.

Questions At Forum Not Previewed to Candidates

Submitted by boxwing on Mon, 10/22/2007 - 3:14pm.

The public was given the opportunity to submit questions in advance for the Tyrone Candidate's Forum via the Citizen and Tyrone Business Association's websites. The questions were reviewed and edited only slightly for spelling and grammar by John Thompson of the Citizen and myself. We were the only persons to see the questions in advance.

The decision to not provide the questions to the candidates in advance was made to be able take questions right up to the last moment before the forum to maximize the participation by the public. In fact the last question was received at 3 PM on the day of the forum.

We thank everyone that submitted questions and participated in person at the forum.

Steve Justice
Chairman - Tyrone Business Association

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Questions at the Forum

Submitted by Don Rehwaldt on Sun, 10/21/2007 - 11:28am.

I believe the question about previewing questions was referring to me. Yes, I did have written questions - and answers.
It is normal for me to PREPARE! The questions that I referred to were written by ME in anticipation of possible queries.
And, I also answered my own questions - on the computer, made a copy and brought them with me.
But, to be honest, I did not have a ready answer to the religious question at a political forum. Perhaps next time I'll prepare better.

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Question at the forum & on Blogs

Submitted by Ken Matthews on Sun, 10/21/2007 - 1:07pm.

I believe Questions submitted were valid and I gave response as I thought to be necessary. Every answer was given from my own knowledge of current activities in Tyrone. Any person who thinks I was on planning commission for a long time is incorrect, I did my term which was to fulfill the remaining term of long time member who resigned to give their local business more attention. My term consisted of May 2005 - Dec 2006 with the last half of 2006 being absent at majority of meetings due to Heart health and surgery. I am revealing this so maybe you can get your facts straight. If my memory serves me right the Trickum creek estates came up before my appointment, The Downtown Zoning issues were last changed in 2004. also before my time. I am like most people I make mistakes, but my research is done in an effective manner, or I don't speak. If I have misrepresented anything in this blog then I will take the correction and learn by the mistake.

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Ken Matthews ...I would like to ask you a question

Submitted by oldbeachbear on Sun, 10/21/2007 - 3:45pm.

I think this will clear up a lot. July 2005, police were called by neighbors of the cemetery in Trickum creek, there was a new plat drawn up and signed off on by Barry Amos, Valerie, and Mayor Lee, the date of their signing off was March 2006. No one can find where this plat with a cemetery and an EASMENT for 5 houses, went in front of the planning committe. I think you would remember something like this, it would really stand out. You see, it looks like ..TWICE.. it didn't go before any planning committe or town council. I think that might mean, these 3 people acted on their own instead of letting this subdivison take the course that it should have. When Smola sneered at the ladies the other night and said the town wouldn't represent them. I think it is just possible that he should have made that remark to the gruesome threesome. As no one can find anything to the contrary, everyone is thinking they acted alone and could possibly be sued personaly by the desendants and concerned citizens.

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