All four candidates for Red Bank City Commission attended a forum held recently by the Red Bank Neighborhood Pride Association at the city’s community center. The three candidates for District 2 – Bill Cannon, Paul Thompson and Carol Rose – were joined by Eddie Pierce, current vice mayor and unopposed candidate for commissioner-at-large.
Audience-submitted questions were selected at random for the candidates to answer, with each given two minutes to answer.
Questions related to citizens’ concerns such as their safety and property values, and also inquired into the candidates visions for the future of the city, especially in relation to plans for the now-vacant former middle school property in the center of town. The candidates’ plans for dealing with the impaired stream, Stringers Branch, that runs through the middle of town, and how it affects development, was also a topic of discussion.
All seemed to agree that the development of the middle school property needs to involve foresight and public input.
“That particular property needs to be a hub, a center that makes people want to come to Red Bank; something that we’re proud of, something that will have some longevity,” said Pierce.”This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. We need to make sure this is done well.”