The Shadow
The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism will sponsor local candidates’ forums on Monday, Sept. 27, and Wednesday, Sept. 29.
Monday’s forum will be at Covington City Hall. Wednesday’s will be at the Alleghany County governmental complex in Low Moor. Both forums will begin at 6 p.m.
The Monday forum will feature candidates on the ballot in the city of Covington on Nov. 2. Treasurer Teresa Harrison is being opposed by Tracy Persinger in her bid for reelection. Commissioner of the Revenue Cathy Kimberlin is unopposed.
The Wednesday forum will feature candidates on the ballot in Alleghany County. Candidates for the Clifton Forge West District seat on the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors are Greg Dodd and Donnie Kern. In the Covington District, the candidates are incumbent James Griffith and John Wayne Persinger Jr. Ron Goings is running unopposed for the Clifton Forge District seat. Steve Bennett is unopposed for reelection in the Jackson River District.
The forum is being sponsored by the chamber as an effort to encourage citizens to become more involved in local government by learning about the issues and positions of each candidate.
“All candidates are invited to participate including write-in candidates. The chamber requests that all candidates that plan to participate contact the chamber office at 962-2178 in order to allow for adequate setup for the event,” said Teresa Hammond, executive director of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.
Hammond said the public is encouraged to attend; following the U.S. Center for Disease Control’s recommended guidelines of social distancing for COVID-19. The wearing of masks for those unvaccinated is encouraged, she said.
The public will be allowed to submit written questions at the forum; a panel will review the questions before they are posed to the candidates. The moderator will pose the questions to the candidates and each candidate will have a limited time to respond. The moderator for the forums will be Richard Crowder. At the end of the forum, each candidate will be given three minutes to present statements about their candidacy and explain why they are running for office and their position on various issues.
The Covington and Clifton Forge Women’s Clubs will be assisting with the events.
Questions may be submitted in advance by email at info@ahchamber.com . Questions may also be submitted the night of the forum. Please call the Chamber office at (540) 962-2178 if you have any questions or need additional information.
