Candidates agree on issues like alcohol at local forum

The Floyd County Republican Party hosts a forum for City Commission candidates.

Candidates for three open Rome City Commission seats answered a host of questions that touched on economic development, quality of life, police officers and the powers of the city manager during a candidate forum on Tuesday evening.

The forum was hosted by the Floyd County Republican Party at the Civic Center, and was dubbed as an opportunity for the community to get to know the candidates and their stances.

Incumbents Jamie Doss and Sue Hamler Lee, along with challengers Bill Kerestes, Monica Sheppard and Randy Quick attended. Wendy Davis, the third incumbent in the race, was unable to come due to a work conflict.

The five candidates in attendance found agreement on keeping the 50/50 food-to-drink sales ratio in place for businesses serving liquor — this was brought up before the Alcohol Control Commission for a community discussion last week.

The next question piggy-backed off this, asking candidates if they support adding more Rome police officers, after a lack of resources were cited as opposition to establishing an open consumption area downtown.

Candidates’ stances aligned in believing officers need better pay along with other incentives to not only draw new officers to the department but to retain those currently on staff as well.

Candidates celebrated the collaborative approach the city and county take in instigating economic development, which they believe will entice younger people to either stay here for work or come back home to kick start their careers.

On the role of the city manager and his relationship with the city commission, candidates saw no

need for a change or to shift certain responsibilities away from the manager. They applauded the expertise and capability of City Manager Sammy Rich.

Q&As with the six candidates running for three open seats on the Rome City Commission will run in Sunday’s Rome News-Tribune.