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Stafford forum far from a debate
Chamber of Commerce holds forum for Stafford supervisor candidatesDate published: 8/24/2007 BY KAFIA HOSH It was supposed to be a debate, a back-and-forth conversation of opposing views. But instead, a forum last night turned into a discussion among candidates holding similar political views. Three Democratic contenders for Stafford County Board of Supervisors boycotted the debate. The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the event at Brooke Point High School. No opponents came face-to-face as three empty chairs sat on the stage of the high school auditorium. Democratic candidates Bob Woodson (Griffis-Widewater District) Jerry Kirven (Rock Hill District, ) and Harry Crisp (George Washington District, ) did not attend. The men had said they were concerned with the debate's co-sponsors: The Fredericksburg Area Builders Association and the Fredericksburg Area Association of Realtors. They also expressed reservations about the debate format and the questions, which mostly related to development and land-use issues. Chamber President Bob Hagan said he was disappointed voters wouldn't hear the Democrats' views. "We do not have a list of correct answers," he said. "Whether an answer is right or wrong is up to the voters." Incumbent and board Chairman Jack Cavalier lambasted the missing candidates. "There are people here, people who are the back-bone of the business community," said Cavalier, an independent running for re-election in Griffis-Widewater. "To choose to deliberately ignore them, to me, is disrespectful." The other candidates present were Republicans Cord Sterling, who is vying for a Rock Hill seat, and Tom Coen, who is running to represent George Washington residents. Like their opponents, Coen, Sterling and Cavalier were also uncomfortable with the debate format. They refused to answer "Yes" or "No" to a majority of development-related questions. As for the discussion topics, the candidates said they don't believe developer proffers should be the primary source for financing new infrastructure. Proffers are just "negotiating tools" that local governments shouldn't rely on, Cavalier explained. The candidates also fielded a question about a possible Business, Professional and Occupational License tax. BPOL is a tax on a businesses' gross receipts. Stafford does not impose the levy. Cavalier and Coen said BPOL should be evaluated closely before consideration. The Board of Supervisors will discuss BPOL during public hearings later this year. "We'll hear everybody's opinions on it," Cavalier said. Sterling was opposed to a BPOL tax, which he called an "inherently aggressive" levy that could deter the business growth Stafford has enjoyed. The candidates mostly supported a regional comprehensive plan. Coen said a regional effort is necessary to fix transportation problems. "The roads don't stop at the Rappahannock River. So we need to work together." Kafia Hosh: 540/735-1977Email: khosh@freelancestar.com
Date published: 8/24/2007
Huh?
(posted by
Mojomama
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
All the candidates were invited to express their own views -- not the views of the program sponsors. The refusniks ran away from an opportunity confront the business people they say they oppose. Maybe they're trying to have it both ways.
Thi.s was a forum not a debate
(posted by
DeanFetterolf
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
This was a forum not a debate. A forum for special interests to get out their ideas. The candidates were smart enough to not fall into the trap.
Brtidea - You must have skipped paragraph 7.
Format for Dummies
(posted by
brtidea
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
The format of having yes/no answers for very complex
topics was recognized even by the participants as a poor
way to run a forum. The fact three of the candidates
refused to participate gave the others the go-ahead to
refuse to answer a number of questions posed as yes/no.
Both sides showed more smarts than the people who
wrote the questions and set the format. Let's have real
debates with questions from the public in general.
What were they afraid of?
(posted by
Mojomama
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
The other candidates could have attended the forum and answered questions - even if they didn't agree. The fact is they refused to attend a major forum of local businesses and employers in our community. They turned down an opportunity to state their views either way on issues that voters care about. By refusing to talk about their stands on the issues, they're giving us a good idea about how they would govern -- by the cut and run method!
Most important point left out
(posted by
brtidea
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
This story is the perfect example of why the Free Lance
Star is getting the reputation of a "rag". The writer -- or
editor -- left out the fact that the builder's assoc. and the
realtor's assoc. were co-sponsors. It was for that reason,
plus the ridiculous format including yes/no only questions,
that 3 candidates chose not to participate. If this had been
simply a Chamber of Commerce forum, all the candidates
would have likely been there.
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