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Opening Statements from Boone Mayoral, Council Candidates at Forum on Tuesday

From left to right, Boone council candidate Marshall Ashcraft, mayoral candidate Rennie Brantz and council candidates Sam Furgiuele, Connie Ulmer, Jeannine Underdown-Collins and Quint David. Photo by Ken Ketchie

By Jesse Wood

The Boone Area Chamber hosted a “Meet the Candidates” forum on Tuesday evening to educate the public on the upcoming municipal elections. Early voting began last week. Check out video of the opening statements here and look for more posts on last night’s forum at HCPress.com.

The candidates forum took place at the Fairview Cafe at the Boone Golf Course.

While the mayoral race featuring Rennie Brantz isn’t contested, six candidates are vying for three seats on the Boone Town Council. Incumbents include Charlotte Mizelle, Jenannine Underdown-Collins and Quint David, and the challengers are Marshall Ashcraft, Sam Furgiuele, Quint David, Jill Reeves and Connie Ulmer.

Mizelle couldn’t attend the forum because of a family emergency, and Jill Reeves reportedly isn’t running for council anymore, although her name is on the ballot.

Moderating the event as usual was Omer Tomlinson, chair of the chamber’s government relations committee.

“I am pleased to offer this public forum for local citizenry to hear from the candidates for public office,” Tomlinson said, before starting the round-robin format.

The forum included questions compiled before the forum as well as those submitted in real time by the audience. The forum began with an opening statement and ended with closing statements.

Below are videos of the opening statements in the order presented at the council.

The event took place at Casa Rustica Catering Co.’s Fairway Cafe at the Boone Golf Club. 

Videos by Ken Ketchie

OPENING STATEMENTS