NEWS

At-large council candidates trade attacks at forum By James Boyd, Herald-Times Staff Writer October 12, 2004 The mudslinging has begun in several Monroe County Council races, as candidates battle to pick up votes with just a few weeks left before the Nov. 2 election. At Monday's Meet the Candidates Forum sponsored by the Monroe County Farm Bureau, several candidates took jabs at one another in a forum that was supposed to be a place for voters to ask questions. About 15 members of the public attended the forum. County council at-large candidate Republican Andy Dodds commented on competitor Sophia Travis' qualifications. "She plays the accordion," he said. "That says enough." Travis, a Democrat, was quick to point out that her experience as a working musician would help to bring fiscal responsibility to the council. Fellow council at-large candidate Democrat Warren Henegar took the opportunity to clarify his position on taxes, which Dodds also attacked. "I thought we signed a pledge saying we wouldn't get dirty," Henegar said in response. Henegar said earlier comments he had made about raising taxes were misinterpreted. "I was referring to the local income tax," he said, when defending his statement that he would potentially support raising taxes. "Raising property taxes is the wrong way to go about it," Henegar said. Henegar said that he had raised similar issues during a previous campaign. That prompted council at-large candidate Republican Leasa Farkas to ask, "Is that when you lost your re-election?" Henegar said he was proud that he had been elected to two terms as both a councilman and as a commissioner. Other candidates for at-large council seats are Republican Randy May and Democrat Michael Woods. Voters will choose three candidates from among the six for the at-large seats. While a few questions were asked by potential voters, most were posed by campaign opponents. "This is the most important election we've had for some time," said Monroe County Farm Bureau Inc. president Benjamin Keutzer. "Don't go home and think your vote doesn't count. One vote does count." Reporter James Boyd can be reached at 331-4370 or by e-mail at jboyd@heraldt.com.