Local GOP women’s club hold their first forum

April 14--Despite initial difficulties, a local political organization will hold forums for two political races.

The Onslow County Republican Women's Club will hold forums for candidates for Onslow County Sheriff and N.C. House 14 on Tuesday at Northside High School. The forum for the Sheriff's Office will begin at 6 p.m. and the forum for N.C. House 14 will begin at 8 p.m. The forums will be moderated by local radio personality Raeford Brown.

According to club Vice President DeeDee Daube, four candidates -- incumbent Ed Brown and challenger Hans Miller for Sheriff and incumbent George Cleveland and challenger Bobby Mills for N.C. House 14 -- were invited to participate, but issues in securing a venue and communication with the candidates made putting the forum together a difficult task.

According to Daube, the original venue for the forum was White Oak High School, but those plans fell through in March. Daube said the organization was asked by the school's administration to fill out a contract, get liability insurance for the event and submit a fee for renting the space. Daube said the proof of insurance and contract were dropped off at the school and a check was drafted, but no word came from the school for nearly a week.

"On the fourth or fifth day, we got a voicemail from the school's secretary saying the principal would rather have us pick a different location," Daube said. "She said it was because it was during spring break and they couldn't find a custodian. We called her back and told her that we had a custodian, but they said they'd prefer that we do it elsewhere."

Daube said soon afterward, Onslow County Schools got in contact with the club and arranged for them to hold the forum at the current venue.

According to Onslow County Schools spokeswoman Suzie Ulbrich, it's her understanding that the forms the club turned in at White Oak High School were not signed and that the club was told the venue was not available.

"We went out of our way to find an available place for (the forum)," Ulbrich said.

Mills said he will not appear at the forum, citing the organization's inability to secure a venue for the forum in a timely fashion, as well as invitations to make other appearances in the county on the same night.

Cleveland said he still plans on appearing at the forum, saying it is a sign of growth for the Onslow County Women's Republican Club and hopes it continues into future election years.

"I attend any forum I'm invited to," Cleveland said. "I've never snubbed anyone."

Daube said Brown was the club's first candidate to accept his invitation to the forum and the club has no reason to think he will not attend. Brown was not immediately available for comment.

Miller, who also was not available for comment, has posted on his personal Facebook page that he would be participating and has shared information about the forum on his campaign's Facebook Page.

According to Daube, the club will presume the candidates will appear unless they formally decline or fail to show up.

"We have to assume that they will keep their word," Daube said. "We believe they will show up unless they or someone authorized to speak for their campaign says otherwise."

Daube said the forum's format will be similar to the ones seen during presidential elections. Candidates will get two minutes to respond to the question they're asked and their opponent will get one response. If the candidate wishes, and the moderator deems it appropriate, a 30-second rebuttal will be allowed. This will continue until the forum reaches the 85-minute mark, at which time both candidates are given 2 1/2 minutes for their final statements. Daube said all but four of the questions asked at each forum will be from members of the audience. The other questions will be reserved for the Onslow County Women's Republican Club.

"We think candidates should have to answer questions the voters have, not the questions we perceive they might have," Daube said. "We're not voting for the county. Every voter has the right to have their own questions answered."

Candidates for N.C. House 14 and Onslow County Sheriff will be joined by candidates for Clerk of Court at a "meet-and-greet" event hosted by the Swansboro Chamber of Commerce the following evening. According to Donna Hammonds, director of the Swansboro Chamber of Commerce, hors d'oeuvres will be served in the banquet hall of the Hampton Inn Suites, 215 Old Hammock Road in Swansboro, from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, and a discussion with the candidates will last from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

During the discussion, candidates will be given 8 minutes to introduce themselves and field questions from the moderator, who will be the chamber's Co-Chair of Governmental Affairs Cirila Cothran. Hammonds said she's received "100-percent confirmation" from all eight candidates slated to appear.

"There are so many new people in the area who didn't get to vote in the last election," Hammonds said. "This gives them the opportunity to meet the candidates, get to know them and know the people they maybe voting for."

Christopher Thomas is a staff writer for The Daily News. To contact him, send an email to [email protected].

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