Photo Credit: Lee Becker

Bob Smith (left) and Dave Shearon.

More than 100 people turned out on Thursday night for an election forum in Watkinville that featured a very respectful exchange between incumbent Mayor Dave Shearon and challenger Bob Smith.

Though Smith, a real estate agent and former state representative, has had open disagreements with the Watkinsville Council in recent months regarding development of his property, little of the tension was in evidence on Thursday night, until the very end.

In his closing comments, Smith implied that the city was not transparent and that citizens were not being treated with respect by the mayor.

The pair responded to eight different questions posed by citizens during their 45-minute session in the council chamber at City Hall in Watkinsville, covering topics from sexual harassment to service to nonprofit organizations.

The differences in responses were more in terms of style and priorities than issue positions.

Also taking questions at the forum were Jonathan Kirkpatrick and a representative for Connie Massey, seeking the Post 2 position on council.

City Administrator Sharyn Dickerson and Oconee County Director of Elections Fran Leathers closed out the session with a discussion of the Sunday Brunch Alcohol Sales issue that also will be on the Nov. 5 ballot in Watkinsville.

For more, visit Oconee County Observations.