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| Sam Stillwell (center) of Sylva, a Southwestern Community College student, poses a question to candidates for Jackson County’s Board of Commissioners during a debate on Thursday, Sept. 25. Other SCC students who participated by asking questions were Laurie Lambert (left) of Cherokee, Kevin Welch (right) of Cherokee and Keanu Crowe of Cherokee (not pictured). |
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| Jack Debnam (unaffiliated), who is currently chairman of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, responds to a Southwestern Community College student’s question during a Sept. 25 debate at SCC’s Jackson Campus. Republican candidate Doug Cody is pictured at left. |
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| Joe Ward, a Democrat running for the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, speaks during a Sept. 25 debate at Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus. Boyce Deitz (D) is pictured at left. |
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| Candidates for Jackson County Board of Commissioners listen as Southwestern Community College student Keanu Crowe of Cherokee poses a question during a Sept. 25 debate at SCC’s Jackson Campus. |
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| Dr. Bucky Dann, an instructor at Southwestern Community College, teaches the Social Problems class that is hosting a series of debates in advance of the Nov. 4 election. |
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| Boyce Deitz, a Democrat running for the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, makes a point on Sept. 25 during a debate at Southwestern Community College. |
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| Republican candidates Charles Elders (left) and Doug Cody participated in the Sept. 25 debate at Southwestern Community College. |
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| Democrats Boyce Deitz (center) and Joe Ward (right) listen as Brian McMahan, a Democrat running for chairman of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, speaks during a Sept. 25 debate at Southwestern Community College. |
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| Jack Debnam (left), who is unaffiliated, and Brian McMahan (D), candidates for chairman of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners, share a word after a Sept. 25 debate at Southwestern Community College. |
On Thursday evening (Sept. 25), more than 150 people attended a debate among candidates for Jackson County’s Board of Commissioners at Southwestern Community College’s Jackson Campus.
Students in Dr. Bucky Dann’s Social Problems class asked all questions, which led to a lively – but civil – discussion of the issues by incumbents Doug Cody (R), Jack Debnam (unaffiliated) and Charles Elders (R) as well as challengers Boyce Deitz (D), Brian McMahan (D) and Joe Ward (D).
The debate was the first in a series that Dr. Dann’s class is hosting in advance of the Nov. 4 election. On Oct. 9, Democratic N.C. Representative Joe Sam Queen (D) will debate Republican challenger Mike Clampitt (R). And on Oct. 30, N.C. Senator Jim Davis (R) will face challenger Jane Hipps (D).
The public is invited to attend, and WRGC radio (540 AM) of Sylva plans to broadcast each event live.
Topics in the first debate ranged from fracking and the environment to providing social services for those in need.
“I’m extremely proud of these young students,” Dr. Dann said. “It’s the first time I’m aware of that our school has hosted an event like this, and it was the first time most of these students had stood in front of that many people at an event of this magnitude. The students all handled themselves well, and the questions they asked generated the kind of answers voters need to make an informed decision when they go to the polls.”
For more information about SCC and the programs it offers, visit southwesterncc.edu or call 828.339.4000.
