The third and final Lakeland political forum is part of history after last night’s event (10.22.18)
The LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) PTO-sponsored the forum in the middle school cafeteria after also sponsoring one a week ago at LES (Lakeland Elementary School). A third forum was hosted by the North Lakeland Community Association Thursday.
About 60 people came to hear mayoral and commissioner candidates answer questions posed by the audience via cards submitted before the start time. Cindy Davis, LMPS PTO president, organized both school forums.
The Lakeland School Board candidates were not part of the forum but three of the four were in the audience (Kevin Floyd, Laura Harrison and Deborah Thomas).
Those speaking Monday night were Wyatt Bunker who is seeking a second term as Mayor; and Jeremy Burnett and Michele Dial, seeking positions on the Board of Commissioners. Those who did not attend were Michael Cunningham, candidate for mayor; and Michael Green, Richard Gonzales Jr. and Clark Plunk, all commissioner candidates.
Link to Google album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/oYLwTJ8n89PtDVes9
During the two-hour forum, candidates were asked 19 questions and answered on a rotating basis.
The questions submitted by the audience tonight (10.22.18) included the following:
- How will you utilize tax money for economic growth?
- Have you met with both Lakeland and Arlington superintendents regarding the need for a high school in Lakeland?
- What is the biggest challenge facing Lakeland today?
- Should the City continue the current lawsuit against building a high school in Lakeland?
- How would you bring citizens together?
- Had any candidate ever managed a homeowners’ association and borrowed money to pay bills?
- Are you in favor of keeping the Shelby County Fire Department and firing the soon-to-be hired fire chief?
- What is Lakeland’s greatest tangible asset?
- What have you contributed to the Lakeland community?
- What do the “red signs = no high school, higher taxes” mean?
- How will ambulance service be impacted by a new Lakeland Fire Department?
- Will The Lake District require another fire station and what would be the cost?
- Explain the finances to build a high school and when is it feasible.
- Can you make sure education happens?
- Explain the difference between mutual aid and automatic aid.
- What are the steps to unify Lakeland?
- Do you believe it’s a dangerous precedent to pay legal fees of the citizens who sued the City?
- How does attending community events help you with constituents?
- Some say Lakeland has the second highest tax rate in the state of Tennessee.
Lakeland resident Carl Helton offered a prayer before the start of the forum. His LES sons Wyatt, 4th grade, and Zeb, 2nd grade, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Each candidate was given two minutes for introductions and two minutes for a wrap.
Madi Davis, a 9th grader at Arlington High School, was the moderator; Olivia Hicks, an 8th grader at LMPS, candidate order; Stacey Cartwright, PTO member, time keeper; Amy Foster, PTO member, cards collection; and other Lakeland students, door-keeping. Teresa Henry, Lakeland School Board member, livestreamed the event for the LMPS PTO.
Voters will select a mayor, two commissioners and three school board members this election cycle. Early voting continues through Nov. 1 at a myriad of early vote locations including The Refuge Church in Lakeland. The actual Election Day is Nov. 6.
The link to the Shelby County Election Commission: https://www.shelbyvote
… Photos and video by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents.
