Debate Hot Ticket

Friday, September 10, 2010 12:36 AM

Debate a hot ticket

It didn't take long for Wilson County residents to snap up all the tickets to the Wilson County Sheriff's debate scheduled for Oct. 12 at Fike High School. Democratic candidate Calvin Woodard and unaffiliated candidate John Farmer both agreed to take part in the debate sponsored by The Wilson Times.


Tickets were available at nine Wilson businesses beginning Thursday morning. Each business reported that within the first hour of opening their doors, the tickets were gone."There were people waiting at 7 in the morning and we don't open until 7:30," said Judy Watson, co-owner of the Piggly Wiggly in Statonsburg. "Our tickets were gone in 15 minutes. We've been getting calls all throughout the day." Watson said patrons started asking for the tickets Wednesday, but they were not available until Thursday morning.

Ralpheal Rahayn, owner of Italian Pizza and Subs, said his business had a line before he could open his doors at 10 a.m. "I was shocked," Rahayn chuckled. "I am glad there is going to be a good turnout."

Undecided
Wilson residents who were lucky enough to get one of the tickets said they are anxious to hear what candidates are going to say about the issues facing the county. Many said they haven't made up their minds who they are going to vote for.

Charles White, 59, is looking for new ideas. At the debate, he hopes to hear what ideas they have and hopes there won't be too big a difference between the two. He thinks the debate will help him decide which man to vote for.

Melvin Anderson, 38, was one of the first to get tickets at The Wilson Times Thursday morning.
Anderson said this would be the first debate he's attended, and he's curious to see what it's going to be like.
He said he's undecided on which candidate to vote for and is waiting to hear from both of them at the debate.

Luther and Barbara Bass are also eager to hear both candidates, Barbara Bass said, so she was at the office early for their tickets.

Anthony Ward, who was also at the Times' office soon after 8 a.m., said change is good. He said the debate will be good for the county.

Candidates react
Both candidates said they share the excitement they feel from citizens.

Farmer said he is not surprised the tickets went so quickly. He said he knows many people have concerns and want to see and hear for themselves what each candidate has to offer. But Farmer wants people who can't be present at the debate to have a chance to see it live. "It would really be great if a television station would agree to carry this debate live," Farmer said. "It would be a great service to the community."

Woodard said he is looking forward to meeting Farmer in the debate. He said as he campaigns around the county Woodard said people are telling him they are ready to hear what visions he has for the sheriff's office in the next four years. "I know the people are happy to finally have the opportunity to have a sheriff's office that will be fair to all citizens, be visible and work hard with the deputies," Woodard said. "I believe in the deputies. I'm not going to single out a few special people. I believe in Wilson County deputies. I know we will do a good job together for the people of Wilson."

The Wilson Times will videotape the debate and make it available on its Web site.Editor Jon Jimison said he shares the candidates' desire to get as many eyes on the debate as possible. "As sponsors we're also open to having it televised live, but we haven't been approached yet," Jimison said. "We're not a TV station. We can get it taped and put online. We hope to be legitimately approached."

* Article written by Wilson Times staff writers Janet Conner-Knox and Lisa Batts. Click here to follow the comments. 

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