VALDOSTA: The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce provided a megaphone to candidates in the 2015 municipal election Tuesday.
Candidates were given three minutes to speak to the large crowd at the Valdosta City Hall annex. They talked about why they are are running for office, and what they would do if elected. There was no debating between candidates at the forum.
Only one city council candidate was unable to attend — Ronnie Pierce, who was caring for a sick relative.
Two of the three mayoral candidates — J.D. Rice and Mayor John Gayle — were present, with both delivering speeches similar to ones given at previous candidate forums.
The third mayoral candidate, Brooks Bivins, was absent, and has yet to appear at a candidate forum.
Rice and Gayle avoided a controversy that flared up Thursday at a forum presented by the Valdosta branch of the American Association of University Women, where Gayle accused Rice of taking money for a talking point in his campaign. Rice and Gayle did not discuss the matter Tuesday.
Rice spoke of Valdosta needing to do better in business recruitment, citing West Point, Ga, as an example of a city being proactive.
Gayle spoke about what he has accomplished since being elected in 2011, including the city’s sewer rehabilitation project.
Candidates had the opportunity to meet with voters individually, and had tables available for them to present literature supporting their campaign.
