for county offices

By AMY S. LANSDON

News Editor

Sept. 16, 2000 10 PM

Pike County Commission candidates will have the opportunity to share their platforms with constituents next week at the Governmental Affairs luncheon sponsored by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

According to Marsha Gaylard, president of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, the program is designed to allow candidates and chamber members to discuss ideas that affect the area in an open forum.

The Dutch-treat luncheon will be held at noon on Sept. 19 at the Troy Holiday Inn.

"This is something we have traditionally done in election years to facilitate open discussion of the issues that affect us," Gaylard said. "It’s a lot of fun and it provides members with a great opportunity to ‘get to know’ who they will see on the ballot in the general election."

Jenniffer Barner, community development director for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, organized the event and said all county commission candidates with opposition have been invited to participate.

"We invited all of our commissioners with opposition," Barner said. "It will give them a good chance to convey to the voters what they see as the real issues they plan to stand for if elected to serve the community."

Invited candidates include Sherroll Calhoun and Incumbent Larry Penn, who are both running for the District 3 seat; Jim Medley and Incumbent Ray Goodson, who are running for the District 4 seat; and John Schimdt and Incumbent Karen Berry, who are running for the District 6 seat.

The candidates are looking forward to having the opportunity to share their ideas and expand on issues at the luncheon, and think the luncheon is a good opportunity.

"I think its a really good idea to have an event like the Governmental Affairs luncheon," said Schmidt. "It gives voters a chance to hear the candidates and where we stand on issues. It also creates a lot of voter awareness."

Medley said he is looking forward to the luncheon because of the chance it gives the candidates and constituents.

"People who are there will be able to get insight and get an idea of the candidates’ abilities," he said. "I think it is a really good idea to have this. If the news media is there they will be able to share our platforms with people who aren’t there."

Penn said he believes in the luncheon but wishes constituents would get more involved.

"It gives the constituents a chance to hear the candidates," Penn said. "The only problem is that there is not a lot of participation from the voters. I encourage people to attend."

Berry, Goodson and Calhoun could not be reached for comment.

Today is the last day to make reservations for the dutch-treat luncheon. To make reservations call the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at 566-2294 by 10 a.m. today.