Four of seven candidates vying for Lakeland Board of Commissioner (BOC) slots this fall participated in the first political forum last night (10.15.18) at LES (Lakeland Elementary School) to answer random questions submitted from the audience.
Video of forum:
https://vimeo.com/295367095
The Lakeland election is Nov. 6 with early voting starting Wednesday (10.17.18) and running through Nov. 1 for the Nov. 6 actual election. Early voting is allowed at any location within Shelby County. One of the locations is in Lakeland at The Refuge Church, 9817 Huff N Puff Rd. On Election Day, voting is only allowed by assigned precinct. The link to the Shelby County Election Commission: https://www.shelbyvote.com/
About 100 were in the LES Cafeteria to hear Wyatt Bunker, seeking reelection as Mayor; Clark Plunk seeking reelection as a Commissioner; and Jeremy Burnett and Michele Dial seeking Commissioner slots. Those who did not attend were Mayoral candidate Michael Cunningham and Commissioner candidates Michael Green and Richard Gonzales. All candidates for Mayor and BOC were invited to participate in the forum.
The forum was for BOC candidates and not for those seeking to fill three positions on the Lakeland School Board. It was sponsored by the LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) PTO and organized by its president, Cindy Davis.
Moderator was Frank Colvett, a Memphis City Councilman and Lakeland resident Kim Denbow was the timekeeper. Brittany Brennan of Lakeland was in charge of collecting candidate questions.
After two-minute introductions, candidates were asked questions at random, submitted by members of the audience before the event started. The ninety-minute forum featured 14 questions with the first relating to racist comments from an incumbent or elected official. The question asked if a person should be censured for such comments. The question was addressed by three of the candidates but not received favorably by the fourth candidate. Mr. Plunk said he thought it was a disgusting question, threw down the microphone and left the forum.
The other questions dealt with new businesses to Lakeland, parks and recreation, the new Lakeland Fire Station and fire fees, a Lakeland police force, bond money for a high school, space at Arlington High School(AHS) and short and long term challenges for the City. Lakeland students attend AHS through an interlocal until a high school is built in Lakeland.
Student assistants during the forum included Madi Davis, AHS 9th grader; Graham Hutchens, LMPS 8th grader and president of the LMPS Student Council; Cameron Davis, LMPS 8th grader; and Twins Jonathon and Aston Barnes, LMPS 8th graders.
Girl Scouts who presented the Flag and led the Pledge of Allegiance were Jasmine and Makayla Tolbert. William Davis offered the prayer before the forum started.
Remaining forums
6 – 8 p.m. Thursday (10.18.18) – New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church – NLCA
6 – 8 p.m. Oct. 22 – LMPS Cafeteria – LMPS PTO
Shaun Cummings with the NLCA (North Lakeland Community Association) said confirmed attendees Thursday are: Mayoral Candidates Wyatt Bunker and Michael Cunningham; Commissioner Candidates Jeremy Burnett, Clark Plunk, Michael Green, Michele Dial and Richard Gonzales Jr.; and School Board Candidates Zachary Coleman and Kevin Floyd.
“New Salem CP Church accommodates 125 people,” said Mr. Cummings. “We are reserving 35 spaces for our NLCA members leaving seating for 90 visitors. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.”
Confirmed to attend the PTO forum Oct. 22 are Mayoral Candidate Wyatt Bunker and Commissioner Candidates Jeremy Burnett, Michele Dial and Clark Plunk.
Mayor – one position open
Wyatt Bunker – incumbent
Mike Cunningham
Commissioner – two positions open
Jeremy Burnett
Michele Dial
Richard Gonazles Jr.
Michael Green
Clark Plunk – incumbent
Lakeland School Board – three positions open
Zachary Coleman
Kevin Floyd
Laura Harrison
Deborah Thomas
Link to Google album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UFLT18PQPTkq2FSE6
… Photos and video by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents.
