Candidates Saying NO to Forum

By David Johnson
The Leader

At least three candidates for city office have declared their intent to not attend the municipal political forum scheduled for April 14.

Alderman-at large candidate Debbie Holder, who will face incumbent Gary Gainspoletti in the May 5 Democratic primary, says she will skip the forum out of principal. Ward 5 aldermanic candidate Danny Barfield, who will contest incumbent Paul Janoush in the May 5 election, says he has a scheduling conflict. Incumbent alderman Ted Campbell of Ward 6 has also confirmed he will not attend the forum.

Holder, as have other candidates in recent weeks, expressed her concern over Cleveland/Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce executive director Judson Thigpen's role in the event. While the forum is sponsored by the Friends of the Bolivar County Library organization, library director Lynn Shurden has chosen Thigpen to moderate the evening.

Holder has campaigned on a promise to examine repealing Cleveland's tourism tax, of which approximately $250,000 per year goes to fund the chamber of commerce.

“I just don't think the chamber should be involved,” Holder said Saturday. “A lot of my platform consists of taking a hard look at the very tax that funds the organization Mr. Thigpen represents. I think we need to either build the convention center for which the tourism tax was intended for, or quit making our citizens pay it.”

Cleveland's local tourism tax is assessed on restaurant sales, hotel rooms and liquor. Holder owns the Southern Grill restaurant in Cleveland.

Mayoral candidate John Joel, an independent, said he would like to attend the event, but may not if the chamber continues to have a role. Joel is also involved in the restaurant business in Cleveland.

“I'd really like to attend, but they should get someone else to moderate,” Joel said Saturday. “If I was the librarian, I'd be explaining to the candidates why it is important for Mr. Thigpen to moderate the debate. I really want to participate, but I believe they should get someone else.”

Barfield said he has yet to receive an official invitation to participate in the forum, but will decline to attend based on a scheduling conflict. His supporters have scheduled a fish fry for him from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. the evening of the forum. The forum is set to begin at 5:30 p.m.

“I couldn't attend even if I got an invitation,” Barfield said. “But while I'm here, I'd like to extend an invitation to everyone in Ward 5 to come to the fish fry with or without an invitation. We'll have the voter rolls there.”

Campbell said he has no scheduling conflict, but he had decided not to attend.

“I'm not going to go. No conflict. I'm just not going,” Campbell said, declining to elaborate.

Ward 1 alderman Maurice Smith, who is running unopposed, said he is undecided if he'll attend.

“I've got to be invited first,” Smith said. “I haven't received an invitation, so I can't say.”