Six candidates vying to fill three seats that will be decided at the ballot box in November’s election fielded questions from the public at the Historic Masonic Theatre on Tues., Sept. 20.
Although less than 15 citizens attended the forum, a number of written questions were submitted by those in attendance prior to the event that began at 6:00 p.m.
Teresa Hammond, executive director of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, welcomed those present and introduced Dr. John Rainone, the president of Mountain Gateway Community College. She then informed the audience that Rainone would serve as the moderator.
Seated on stage left to right in alphabetical order were the six candidates: Jeremy Bastian, Dale Burdette, incumbent; Courtney Howard, Deborah Laudermilk, incumbent; Benjamin Nicely and Robert Umstead, vice-mayor of Clifton Forge.
Rainone began the forum by calling on Dale Burdette to answer the first question, and each candidate was permitted to speak for three minutes to provide answers to the same question.
During the course of the forum, Bastian noted that he is a local businessman in Clifton Forge, and he stressed the Town’s need to attract more businesses that are able to provide higher-paying jobs.
Burdette informed those present about his educational background and the progress the Town of Clifton Forge has been making by cooperating with Alleghany County’s Board of Supervisors. He noted that he has held numerous leadership roles and is a varsity football coach for Alleghany High School.
Courtney Howard revealed that she spent five years as an actress in Los Angeles, mainly in comedic roles, and portrayed herself as a problem solver. She expressed that the Town needs to attract younger people because the main portion of the population consists of elderly people, and she observed that people tend to be “tribal” and mingle with those who look like themselves and share similar values. She noted the need to find ways to get all the people to interact in constructive ways.
Laudermilk noted that she has held leadership positions in other places such as Farmville and has worked at Douthat State Park. She advocated for the beautification of the Town of Clifton Forge by addressing the problem of dilapidated houses, and she stressed the need for better housing opportunities for those who wish to relocate to Clifton Forge.
Benjamin Nicely pointed out that he has lived in Clifton Forge all of his life, and as a small business owner, he knows the people and their needs and has developed a good rapport with members of the community. He conveyed that his approach to governing if elected would be one with open arms while showing respect and love to his fellow citizens.
Vice-Mayor Robert Umstead noted that he has lived in Clifton Forge since 1983 during which he has served on the Clifton Forge Town Council for the past eight years.
He stressed his teaching and coaching career and his educational background that has prepared him to serve the community as a problem solver, and he said that he is a good listener, a trait necessary to be effective at solving problems.
Clifton Forge Mayor Jeff Irvine and Clifton Forge Town Manager Chuck Unroe were members of the audience. The three candidates who receive the most votes will become members of the Clifton Forge Town Council.
The sponsors of the forum were the Clifton Forge Woman’s Club, the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism and the Town of Clifton Forge. The Historic Masonic Theatre owned by the Town of Clifton Forge and leased by the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation served as the host of the forum.
Six candidates vying to fill three seats that will be decided at the ballot box in November’s election fielded questions from the public at the Historic Masonic Theatre on Tues., Sept. 20.
Although less than 15 citizens attended the forum, a number of written questions were submitted by those in attendance prior to the event that began at 6:00 p.m.
Teresa Hammond, executive director of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, welcomed those present and introduced Dr. John Rainone, the president of Mountain Gateway Community College. She then informed the audience that Rainone would serve as the moderator.
Seated on stage left to right in alphabetical order were the six candidates: Jeremy Bastian, Dale Burdette, incumbent; Courtney Howard, Deborah Laudermilk, incumbent; Benjamin Nicely and Robert Umstead, vice-mayor of Clifton Forge.
Rainone began the forum by calling on Dale Burdette to answer the first question, and each candidate was permitted to speak for three minutes to provide answers to the same question.
During the course of the forum, Bastian noted that he is a local businessman in Clifton Forge, and he stressed the Town’s need to attract more businesses that are able to provide higher-paying jobs.
Burdette informed those present about his educational background and the progress the Town of Clifton Forge has been making by cooperating with Alleghany County’s Board of Supervisors. He noted that he has held numerous leadership roles and is a varsity football coach for Alleghany High School.
Courtney Howard revealed that she spent five years as an actress in Los Angeles, mainly in comedic roles, and portrayed herself as a problem solver. She expressed that the Town needs to attract younger people because the main portion of the population consists of elderly people, and she observed that people tend to be “tribal” and mingle with those who look like themselves and share similar values. She noted the need to find ways to get all the people to interact in constructive ways.
Laudermilk noted that she has held leadership positions in other places such as Farmville and has worked at Douthat State Park. She advocated for the beautification of the Town of Clifton Forge by addressing the problem of dilapidated houses, and she stressed the need for better housing opportunities for those who wish to relocate to Clifton Forge.
Benjamin Nicely pointed out that he has lived in Clifton Forge all of his life, and as a small business owner, he knows the people and their needs and has developed a good rapport with members of the community. He conveyed that his approach to governing if elected would be one with open arms while showing respect and love to his fellow citizens.
Vice-Mayor Robert Umstead noted that he has lived in Clifton Forge since 1983 during which he has served on the Clifton Forge Town Council for the past eight years.
He stressed his teaching and coaching career and his educational background that has prepared him to serve the community as a problem solver, and he said that he is a good listener, a trait necessary to be effective at solving problems.
Clifton Forge Mayor Jeff Irvine and Clifton Forge Town Manager Chuck Unroe were members of the audience. The three candidates who receive the most votes will become members of the Clifton Forge Town Council.
The sponsors of the forum were the Clifton Forge Woman’s Club, the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism and the Town of Clifton Forge. The Historic Masonic Theatre owned by the Town of Clifton Forge and leased by the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation served as the host of the forum.
