The final candidate forum in a series hosted by the News-Gazette, the League of Women Voters and NAACP locally hit a snag on the last night due to a boycott by the Champaign County Democratic Party of the News-Gazette's involvement after publishing a political cartoon they felt promoted sexual assault (more on that controversy here at the Daily Illini). This left the candidates mostly split up with Republicans doing introductory statements at the original forum event and mainly Democrats at a second Q & A forum hosted by the People's Agenda. The News-Gazette had an overview of the first event with Republicans last week:
Dems' absence turns final candidate forum into series of monologuesMore details at the full article here and full video from CGTV here. The People's Agenda Q & A style forum featuring mainly Democratic candidates (with Rich Montgomery the Republican exception running for District 6). Here's an overview of that event with video timestamps:
Seven debates among candidates for the Champaign County Board were scheduled for Friday, but only one happened after local Democrats didn't show up.
The Champaign County Democrats urged their candidates to boycott the event after one of the sponsors, The News-Gazette, published a controversial editorial cartoon about the #MeToo movement.
The election forum, also sponsored by the League of Women Voters and NAACP of Champaign County, went on without any of the tension that preceded the event.
Instead of audience-submitted questions about the issues facing the Champaign County Board, the Republican candidates were given five minutes to introduce themselves.
"Our policy is that if we have a forum planned, and there is only one candidate remaining, that candidate will have an opportunity to make a five-minute statement about their policies and qualifications," said Holly Wilper, the forum's moderator.
Introductions at 0:00
Question 1 (at 18:45) was on how the County Board should collaborate more with the U of I and Parkland. The answers revolved around with partnering with them in a mutually beneficial relationship for both students gaining real world experience, and the County having access to innovative data and ideas to solve local problems.
Question 2 (at 28:24 ) asked how the candidates saw their upcoming role with the County Executive position. Many of the answers were dependent on if the first occupant was adversarial or cooperative with the board itself.
Question 3 (at 37:05) asked whether the candidates would spend tax money on a new jail. Almost universally the candidates discussed selling and/or demolishing the old downtown jail and avoid the costly upgrades it would need to be compliant with regulations. They variously argued for expanding services at the satellite jail as part of renovations, improvements or expansion projects.
Question 4 (at 46:22) asked what the County Board should use any money made available from the Nursing Home should be used for. There was a consensus that there would be no "extra money" in the immediate future as there would still be outstanding debts to vendors and other budget issues to deal with. In scenarios further into the future or various budgetary opportunities the candidates suggested money go towards holding the buyers compliant to the terms of the sale, mental health services, or innovations on poverty relief, etc.
Question 5 (at 53:25) asked about the County Board's role in the Mahomet Aquifer Task Force. There was a general appeal towards environmentalism and the need to protect a resource that the community needs to survive.
Question 6 (at 1:01:52) asked what they learned from constituents about their concerns while canvassing. The answers here varied quite a bit with each candidate and district.
Question 7 (at 1:11:32) asked a lighter question of what their favorite place was in Champaign County. Answers varied from the personal, to the political, to the humorous... with some joking about hard drinking after the event.
Wrap up / Closing statements at (at 1:20:03). Moderator Elizabeth Hess's final word to the audience: "Vote!"
Other Local Forum Links:
- 9/14/2018 Auditor/Sheriff/Clerk Local Candidate Forum
- 9/21/2018 Circuit Judges / County Executive Second Local Candidate Forum
- 9/28/2018 District 4 Forum / County Board Statements Candidate Forum and Boycott
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