For its October 15 Candidates’ Forum, to be held at 6 p.m. at the BHS Auditorium, the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce has replaced the Mississippi County Judge program segment with a segment featuring the county sheriff’s race. According to Trey Hale, president, both the incumbent, Sheriff Dale Cook, and challenger Bobby Ephlin have accepted invitations to appear. The change occurred when Darrel Gist, candidate for county judge, declined to participate.
“Since this is a debate format, both candidates are needed to hold a segment,” said Hale. “County judge candidate John Alan Nelson was prepared to appear and agreed to cooperate in whatever way the Chamber suggested. With the high interest in the sheriff’s race, we felt voters would best benefit from a view of those candidates.”
The Candidates’ Forum, a long-standing Chamber program, generally features candidates for policy-making bodies. In addition to sheriff contenders, a portion of the program will be devoted to debate among candidates for Blytheville City Council and Blytheville mayor.
Sponsored by Northeast Arkansas Realtors, the forum will include a series of questions on issues related to community development and economy.
All candidates will receive both random and customized questions, with specified response and rebuttal times. Moderated by Chamber executive director Liz Smith, questions will be developed based on input from several organizations and feedback from Chamber membership.
Questions will be seen by no one in advance of the program.
Participants, in addition to the sheriff contenders, include Councilman L.C. Hartsfield, Ward 2 and challenger Matt Perrin; Councilman Stanley Parks, Ward 1 and challengers Don Driskill and Vera James; Mayor James Sanders and challengers Tom Henry and Harold Sudbury.
The program is open to the public and admission is free.