Residents value candidate forum
By Jon Moffett
Residents attending wanted to see the candidates behind the commercials.
YOUNGSTOWN — People from all over Mahoning County filled the Youngstown Sports Grille on South Avenue to hear local candidates firsthand.
Voters were given the opportunity Tuesday night to voice their concerns and ask candidates questions on issues that will appear on the general election ballot next week.
Some area residents saw the meeting as the perfect chance to see the candidates in their most natural form.
“I just wanted to hear the candidates talk rather than listen to the commercials,” said Deanna Bodamer of Canfield. “I think it totally changes when you see them in person than when you see them on television or read an ad in the paper and all that. They kind of shoot from the hip more in this setting.”
The casual setting was also a great way to learn more about how the candidates respond to real people, said Leonard Hall of Boardman.
“It’s close to election time, and I haven’t had an opportunity to hear the candidates yet,” Hall said. “I’ve seen the commercials, but I’d like to see how they measure up to live questions. The commercials that run on the TV and radio don’t do the candidates justice.”
One Boardman resident, who wished to not have her name released, said such public meetings made it harder for candidates to hide behind their advertisements.
“I’m here just to be informed, to know what is going on and to hear things firsthand from the candidates,” the woman said. “I think it’s good that they have to face all the people, and maybe that puts them a little bit more on their toes with so many people listening; it makes them more careful of what they’re saying.”
Having the candidates face off against one another is the best way to separate fact from fiction, said Dennis Wellington, who currently resides in North Carolina, but is originally from Youngstown.
“It’s pretty important, especially when you have opposing candidates up here — or more than one — because if you only have one candidate it’s useless,” Wellington said.
“I think it brought into the light things that people had some gray area on because they’ve heard this and they’ve heard that. Well, this time they got to hear the truth and they got to hear accusations get answered.”
The Boardman resident and her husband said this was the first of such meetings they had attended but were happy to be present. She said learning about the candidates is the best way to make an informed decision and vote for the person they feel is the best one for the job.
“Voting is very important,” she said.
“It affects all of our lives and it affects our country. We all want the best for our country, our state, our city and our schools. I think everybody needs to vote, regardless of which way they do it.”
Hall said the candidates who participate in these events are the ones who are the most understood.
“I think it’s a great thing because typically you don’t know about people until you get a chance to meet them and say hello to them,” Hall said.
“I wish more people would come to these things.”
jmoffett@vindy.com