Debate Is On

Monday, September 06, 2010
Debate is on
Sheriff's candidates agree to Oct. debate; free tickets available beginning Thursday.

The Wilson Times will sponsor a debate featuring the candidates for Wilson County sheriff. Both Democratic nominee, Calvin Woodard, and unaffiliated candidate, John Farmer, have agreed to take part in the event.

The forum will take place at Fike High School, Oct. 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. The doors will open to the public at 6:15 p.m. The auditorium will hold 900 people. All tickets are free and will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis at locations around the city and county. Tickets will be limited to two per person and will be available beginning Thursday until they are gone.

Wilson Times Editor Jon Jimison said the newspaper decided to sponsor the debate after getting so many requests from Wilson residents saying the county needed this debate to take place. "We were inundated with calls after the previous debate stories ran," Jimison said. "The race for sheriff is important and has captured the imagination of Wilson residents." Jimison said both candidates are enthusiastic and supportive. He also said Wilson County School System helped by quickly approving the newspaper's application to rent Fike.

So volunteers won't be overwhelmed at the doors, tickets will be available ahead of time at set locations throughout the city and county, Jimison said. "We are also going to videotape the debate and have it available at Wilsontimes.com for those who can't be there," Jimison said Farmer said he likes the idea of the newspaper putting on the forum.

"I am sure it is a lot of hard work organizing it, but I think it is great," Farmer said. "It is what the people of Wilson County really need. Then they can see the differences in the two candidates. They can see I am the qualified candidate."

Woodard said he thinks the debate is fair to the public and both candidates. "It's unfortunate things didn't work out for me with the Tea Party event," Woodard said. "I am sure there are a lot of rumors surrounding that." Woodard said he likes the way the forum will be handled with The Times. "The paper has treated both candidates the same," Woodard said. "I am excited." "I commend the paper for how the debate will be handled -- both candidates asked the same questions, key topics and open and closing statements from both candidates," Woodard said. "Who will be sheriff is for the people to decide."

The newspaper is also making arrangements for adequate security for the night of the debate. Both candidates are predicting tickets for the debate will go fast.

* Article written by Wilson Times staff writer Janet Conner-Knox. Click here to follow the comments.