Four of the six candidates contending for three Clifton Forge Town Council seats participated in the community gathering event at The Historic Masonic Theatre on Thurs., Oct. 20.
Gayle Hillert, president of the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation, welcomed the 17 attendees that included Clifton Forge Mayor Jeff Irvine and Clifton Forge Town Manager Charles “Chuck” Unroe.
Vice-Mayor Robert Umstead and Ben Nicely, the other two candidates, did not attend the gathering.
Organized by Mott Atherholt, a member of the Planning Committee of Community Gatherings, the event was moderated by Mac Beard who posed questions that the candidates were given two minutes to answer.
Those candidates in attendance were Jeremy Bastian, Courtney Howard, both challengers, and Deborah Laudermilk and Dale Burdette, both incumbents.
Beard asked each candidate to make an introductory statement, and Bastian began by providing personal background that revealed that he is from New Orleans and that he works from his home in Clifton Forge as an engineer.
Howard revealed that she is a stay-at-home mom who has two young children and that she returned home to Alleghany County after spending from 2010 till 2015 in Los Angeles where she worked in the film and TV industry.
Bastian moved to the Town of Clifton Forge from Richmond in 2020, and Howard, a 2004 graduate from Alleghany High School who is an actress and photographer, were seated side by side stage right.
Laudermilk, the brewer for Jack Mason’s Tavern & Brewery, and Burdette, an employee of Alleghany County and second winningest coach in AHS sports history, were seated side by side as well stage left.
Asked on a scale from 1-5 what each candidate rates the Town of Clifton Forge, Laudermilk gave the highest rating at 3+, and the other three candidates rated the Town as 3 of 5.
Each candidate noted that there are numerous problems that need to be addressed, ones such as buildings that have been damaged by fire but are left standing with other dilapidated structures that need renovations or razing.
The four candidates agreed on their answers to a hypothetical question concerning the Town of Clifton Forge and its need for the money that they would receive as payment if elected. All four agreed that they would give their pay back to the Town.
Mayor Irvine informed those present that a council member receives $200 per month, the vice-mayor is paid $225 per month and the mayor nets $275 per month.
Asked if they have attended community gatherings and other civic events, all four candidates revealed their involvement.
Bastian said that he had attended some, and Howard revealed that she had attended all of the events after she learned about them after either the first community gathering or the second one.
Laudermilk remarked, “I’ve attended most of the community gatherings.”
Burdette recalled, “I’ve attended most of the gatherings too.”
Asked about the way the Town of Clifton Forge should be branded, Howard surmised, “I think that we’re a town for everyone and should not box oneself in as a railroad town or a retirement town.”
Laudermilk revealed, “My goal is to bring people here to expand our town.”
“We are not just a retirement town,” Burdette stated. He called for diversification.
Bastian quipped, “I don’t think that we have enough bars in town to be a college town, and I really want to see us bring families back to Clifton Forge.”
Asked to express their feeling about the town, Burdette, who was born and raised in Clifton Forge, said, “I know this town like the back of my hand.”
He continued, “I love our town, and I challenge people to go up on Pine St. at night and look at the town’s lights.”
Bastian praised the town for being a friendly place. He commented, “Clifton Forge is kid friendly, a town where everybody is looking out for one another.”
Howard noted the safety of living in Clifton Forge. She observed, “I like the town, and we can walk to whatever place we want to walk.”
She added, “My favorite place is on my front porch swing.”
All four candidates pledged to attend community events if elected, and all four pledged to work to attract new businesses to the town.
Three of the four candidates agreed that the Town of Clifton Forge should not proceed to seek to merge with another town, but Bastian expressed that he thinks a merger with the Town of Iron Gate would be great.”
In closing remarks each candidate weighed in on ways to improve the town.
Burdette concluded, “Our biggest threat is not being proactive, and we need to look at automated improvements.”
Bastian offered a unique way to expand business and the population of Clifton Forge, “We now have women who want to be wives, and we need to let everyone know so they can come here to meet women to find wives.”
“Housing is a large problem here and in Alleghany County, and we need to address that problem,” Laudermilk concluded.
Howard observed, “Negative attitude toward our town is the biggest problem.”
Three of the candidates were born in the Alleghany Highlands where they grew up and attended local schools. Three moved to the Alleghany Highlands to make Clifton Forge their home.
The election on Tues., Nov. 8, will determine which three candidates will serve on the Clifton Forge Town Council.