Connecting with the voters, several candidates in the upcoming elections took part in the Smithville Review’s candidate forum held this past week at the county complex.

The forum, which was the second sponsored by the Review this election season, was moderated by General Manager Angie Meadows and was a free event which featured those seeking local offices as well as those running in primaries for state and federal seats.

The forum included the entire field for some races.

In the race for sheriff, hopeful Michael Agee appeared alongside incumbent Sheriff Patrick Ray, both answering the question about what they can do to reduce recidivism.

“I think we need to get these guys out and give them a work ethic,” Agee said, noting in Cannon County the inmates make a garden that provides half the food for the entire jail. “We need to do something besides caging them up all the time.”

Agee pointed out that he has 15 years in law enforcement and began working with the rescue squad when he was just 18.

“It gets in your blood,” Agee said of public service.

Agee added that as the DeKalb gets bigger, its present problems will also get bigger.

“Drugs are a big issue in DeKalb County,” Agee said, noting he has worked a lot of drugs in his career and was also a K-9 handler. “As the population rises, the drug problem will rise.”

Sheriff Ray pointed to his 29 years of law enforcement experience, 12 of which he has spent as DeKalb sheriff.

“Honest, integrity and professionalism,” Ray said are his words to live by when it comes to serving the public.

As for reducing recidivism, the sheriff said he has already taken steps by inviting members of the clergy and dedicated lay people to come pastor inside the jail every Tuesday. He also said that support groups can continue helping inmates once they get out of jail.

“It’s hard to come out of jail without any help,” the sheriff noted, adding most inmates don’t have jobs when they get out but are expected to pay probation fees and other fines.

Ray pointed out there are success stories for inmates who have served time in state facilities as they are afforded several educational opportunities.

“I know there is one inmate from here who has gotten five degrees while he has been in state prison,” Ray said, noting the inmate received certifications in barber and culinary arts.

Road Supervisor candidates Danny L. Hale and Jimmy Sprague appeared on stage together, both agreeing there is much work to be done when it comes to getting the county’s roads in shape.

In the most populated forum of the night, all three candidates for Smithville city mayor discussed future plans for the city. Incumbent Mayor Jimmy Poss was joined on stage by opponents Josh Miller and Curtis L. Rust.

For county commission, participants included Renee Cox-Steff, Nora Harvey, Jerry D. Adcock, William Rutherford, Bruce Malone, and Beth Pafford. County Mayor Tim Stribling was also there despite the absence of his opponent.
For the office of U.S. Congress, Sixth District, Judd Matheny, Chris Finley and John Rose showed up to speak. Menda McCall Holmes spoke on her run for 46th District State Representative.

The forum will be aired in its entirety in the coming weeks at www.smithvillereview.com in the multimedia section with the individual debates going up every few days. The sheriff’s debate is already online to be followed by the road supervisor forum. The videos will be joined by a story each week in the Review focusing on an individual race.