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Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

Community, candidates meet for HobNob

About half of confirmed political candidates fail to show

CENTERVILLE — While hundreds talked issues and sought out information from political candidates at the second annual Middle Georgia HobNob at the Galleria Conference Center and Banquet Hall, it was who wasn’t there that made the biggest impact.

Forty candidates for offices ranging from Fort Valley city council to governor confirmed their attendance at the event, but just about half actually showed up. Residents looking for information said it was almost as bad when they saw a table full of information and bumper stickers flanked by support staff, but no candidate in sight.

“You can convince me more than a sheet of paper,” said Nicole Williams, who was going table to table talking with candidates at the HobNob. “It’s a missed opportunity.”

Bru Childs, also on hand to hear from her future representatives, agreed.

“They need to be here ... in person,” she said. “You can see their vision more when they speak to you.”

About 300 people mingled Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. inside the new conference center, formerly Goody’s department store, with the likes of gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine, Secretary of State candidate Brian Kemp and local candidates including sitting Centerville Mayor Harold “Bubba” Edwards. Efforts to get an exact head count or how many candidates actually showed up for the event were unsuccessful late Thursday after the event ended.

Candidates who attended the event or sent a representative were allowed a brief chance to tell people about themselves or why they should throw votes in their direction.

Many spent the evening around those short speeches answering questions, listening to concerns or catching up with other candidates.

The event was billed as a way for area residents to have a chance to get face time with candidates from this year’s local elections and 2010 statewide races.

Some candidates who made the trip to Centerville also discussed issues that were driving them toward office. Beth Farokhi, a Democrat running for the state schools superintendent job, said students are being wronged by an unbalanced curriculum that needs to be addressed.

“We are focused so much on testing and not enough on educating,” Farokhi said,

Some talked about the impact Middle Georgia could have on a state election.

“The growth here has been astounding,” said Attorney General candidate Rob Teilhet. “Middle Georgia’s important to me. You have to have support from everywhere when you’re running in a statewide election.”

State Sen. Gail Buckner, who is running for secretary of state, walked through the room holding conversations with the familiar and the unfamiliar alike. She said she wouldn’t miss the chance to represent herself in Middle Georgia.

“This is a very important part of the state ... because it’s a part of Georgia,” she said. “The secretary of state must represent every citizen in the state. If a candidate doesn’t have time for you before they’re elected, then that should be a red flag right there.”

To contact writer Marlon A. Walker, call 256-9685.