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Updated: 6:01 AM Feb 4, 2012
City Commission Candidates Responding To Criticism and Campaign Talks
The Bowling Green City Commission race has nine candidates, with all four incumbents running for seats, Joe Denning, Melinda Hill, Bill Waltrip, and Brian 'Slim' Nash.
Posted: 12:57 PM Feb 3, 2012Reporter: Michael Gossum Email Address: michael.gossum@wbko.com |
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The filing deadline passed earlier this week with nine candidates running for Bowling Green City Commissioner.
Candidates are talking about the issues facing the city.
"I'd like to first and foremost take a look at the budget and analyze it, and see what we can do to streamline, add, or takeaway. Then I want to make sure we did not raise taxes, but be able to keep our infrastructure strong in our community," said Candidate Robin Baldwin.
"I would continue to be accessible to the citizens of Bowling Green. I want to continue my record, i think citizens have been able to see how I will act as a commissioner, and how I will stand on certain issues," said Candidate Melinda Hill.
For Joe Denning, this is not new territory and he plans to continue the way he always has.
"I've always campaigned the same way for the past 18 years. I hope that people will see the experience that I've gained over those 18 years to re-elect me to the city commission," said Denning.
The campaign has already seen criticism of the appointment process taken recently with Hill and Denning. It's been a scrutinized topic and commissioners Slim Nash and Bill Waltrip weighed in on it.
"Joe Denning stepped up and lead this city when we needed him to lead by the title of mayor pro temp. So for there to be some kind of argument that it's just the good ole boys protecting the good ole boys, you don't have to look any further than the TIF votes to find out that Joe and I aren't in a good ole boys club," said Nash.
Waltrip voted against both of the appointments.
"I believe that the ballot box is sacred, and I think that people voted for the ones running, and I just felt like we should have gone down the list. It didn't matter to me who was next on the list, just the next person the voters voted for I thought should have been appointed to that."
This is not the first time previous issues will be discussed and probably not the last.
Other candidates include Jerry Wells, his wife Robbin Wells, Mark Bradford, and Rick Williams.
The primary will be held later this year in May.
