Three candidates vying to chair the Catoosa County Commission sat down this week for a televised debate as a last-minute push for each to pitch themselves and their platforms to voters.
Incumbent Republican Steven Henry, Democratic challenger Ernie Pursley and write-in candidate Nick Ware met for a civilized and polite debate Tuesday, touching on topics from the county's response to the coronavirus pandemic to economic development.
One of the main talking points throughout the hourlong debate was free speech, particularly how it relates to a resolution passed by Henry and the rest of the Catoosa County Commission that required residents to sign up to talk at public meetings.
The resolution was controversial for a number of citizens who regularly attended commission meetings who felt the new rules were infringing on their First Amendment rights. Commissioners said the rules - which required speakers to jot down what they wanted to talk about - would give county employees and officials more time to address what would be talked about.
Ware was easily the most outspoken resident opposed to the resolution and became a fixture at commission meetings. Ware said Tuesday night he still believes the resolution goes against his and other people's rights as United States citizens.
"Your freedom of speech should be first and foremost," Ware said.
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Henry stood by the resolution and said it was passed to keep people aware they should be respectful and responsible when speaking at a public meeting. The resolution included notes that people should not use profanities or hurl personal attacks at anyone.
Pursley's views aligned more with Ware's on the issue, saying passion is a part of politics and that he doesn't think any commission meetings have been derailed or gotten out of control due to public comment.
All three candidates agreed on a number of things like the importance of broadband internet in the county and supporting the local sales tax.
On the pandemic, Ware said he's in favor of the practice of herd immunity and wishes the public was more educated on personal health when it comes to the virus. Pursley said he wishes local, state and federal government would put more trust in experts when combatting the virus. Henry said he believes the local government did a great job of responding to an unprecedented crisis and said that sometimes the "protection might be worse than the virus."
Ware and Henry disagreed on how the county should pursue economic development. Henry believes industrial business should be the county's main target. Ware believes support should be given to small businesses. Pursley said industrial development shouldn't get in the way of residential growth.
Other than Ware, there are two other write-in candidates who have qualified in Catoosa County: Terry Crawford in District 3 and Greg Bentley in District 1.
Contact Patrick Filbin at pfilbin@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickFilbin.