41NBC WMGT-DT

Only 2 Candidates Attend Final Political Forum in Warner Robins

Tonight, residents of Warner Robins had one last chance to hear from the candidates in the run-off election for city council Posts 2 and 4, but only two candidates showed up to the debate.

"I was counting on this forum tonight to help me make up my mind," says Evelyn Merk.

Her top choice for Warner Robins City Council Post 2 didn't make the cut in the first round.

"I would like someone to represent me who's interested enough to show up for something like this," says Merk.

Voters expected an evening of good old fashioned debate, but instead it was a meet and greet for just two candidates.

"It's very disappointing. I think it really robs the voters," says Brad Emerton of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens of Houston County.

Post 2 candidate Gene Harrington, and Post 4 candidate Carolyn Robbins were missing.

"We've answered a lot of questions, and I think people know me," says Robbins.

Robbins says she had a prior commitment to ring the salvation army bell.

"You've got the top two people here from the five person race, and it needs to be a nitty-gritty type debate," says Tim Thomas, Post 2 candidate.

Post 4 candidate, Mike Brashear says, every moment counts when it comes to the campaign.

"Now we're down to the serious candidates, and it gives the populous a chance to ask us the kind of questions that they want to ask us."

Brashear laid his top priority on the line for the voters. He says it's keeping the city pay scale competitive.

"If you have underpaid employees, they're disgruntled employees."

Disgruntled Tim Thomas wants less chaos in local government, and more action.

"We put the fighting aside, come up with a game plan, and fight off BRAC."

With the playing field narrowed down to just two candidates in each post, a missed opportunity for some, may mean political momentum for others.

Emerton says that when he first sent out the invite, all four candidates confirmed they would attend the forum. He says Robbins backed out last Friday, and Harrington pulled out earlier tonight. Both said they had prior commitments.

The run-off election is next Tuesday, December 6th.