In past years, the Jaycees have hosted a Meet the Candidates Forum, however, this year the group changed to a debate format for the eight candidates vying for the three seats up for grabs on the five-seat commission.

Five of the candidates are Democrats who will square off Tuesday, May 6, in the primary election for the right to advance to November’s general election and face the Republican nominees, who have no primary this spring.

The three Republican candidates for commissioner are incumbent Larry Yarborough, 45, Gerry O’Neil, 67, and Sam Kennington, 61.

The five Democratic candidates are incumbent Jimmy B. Clayton, 61, Mike Barrett, 46, David Brooks, 50, Ray Jeffers, 24, and Samuel H. Winstead, 82.

Each candidate for the board of commissioners was allowed two minutes for an opening statement. Each also had one minute to respond to questions addressed specifically to them, which was followed by a period of rebuttal.

In Saturday’s edition of The Courier-Times will publish its usual pre-Election Day roundup of profiles of the five Democratic primary candidates, along with their responses to a series of questions posed to each by The C-T.

Questions for Tuesday night’s debate were a collaborative effort of a four-person panel, which included current Commissioners Kyle Puryear and Larry Bowes, along with former Commissioner Roy Holler and Micheal Slaughter, an unsuccessful candidate for commissioner in 2006.

Yarborough said Tuesday that the platform he ran on four years ago when he was elected commissioner is “still fairly relevant.”

He said he would work to keep property taxes lower since increased taxes are hard on older and younger citizens. He also promised to “work for smarter spending,” which he said he has “done for the last four years.” >>

Yarborough went on to say he would support the school system. He pointed out that in his three years on the board, the commissioners had increased funding for schools by 14, 11 and eight percent respectively.

O’Neil said economic development was at the top of his list or priorities. New businesses, he said, “are a win-win situation.”

O’Neil said he would also stress education and public safety if elected.

“I come to this campaign with no preconceived notion, no hidden agendas,” O’Neil added.

Kennington said he was running for commissioner because he wanted “to give something back to the county that has given me so much.”

He added that he would be an “open commissioner,” and would not support closed-door politics.

Kennington also said he would work to create more jobs, improve public education and the county’s infrastructure as well as working to “lower the property tax and control spending.”

Clayton said that in his past two terms he had tallied a “record of doing what is in the best interest of Person County.”

He went on to say that he listens “to all voices on issues,” and “strives to be a voice” as a commissioner.

Barrett noted that as a teacher at Person High School “education is very important to me.” He added that he would work to “ease the funding situation” for public schools.”

Barrett also said that environmental quality for the county was important to him.

He went on to say that Democratic voters have three votes for commissioner this year and he would like to get one of them.

Brooks said he was present Tuesday night to “attempt to present enough evidence” for those in attendance to “convince others” to vote for him.

He said he was raised in a time when “a handshake meant something” and wanted to be that type of commissioner.

“Your vote will be my voice,” Brooks said. “I will speak for you.”

Jeffers vowed hard work and commitment if elected to the commission.

He said that “we all know the issues,” which he added included the landfill, education, recreation and other things.

Jeffers added that he would do his best to “make wise decisions,” and would not be afraid to “take a different approach.”

Winstead, himself a former commissioner, said he was seeking election “because I think I might make a difference.”

He said he would work “diligently” on a recycling program, which he said could be accomplished “without increasing the budget.” Winstead added “I’ll be here for you and not for me.”