Biggest Crowd yet for a forum, Candidates appreciate that.

About 150 people crowded into the Community center in South Cobb and listened to many of the candidates who will appear on July 31st ballot.The forum was coordinated by the Mableton Improvement Coalition/South Cobb Business Association on Thursday night in Mableton, the candidates for any and all the positions that will appear on the ballot were invited. The questions were pretty much the same as we have heard at all the forums. The sponsors have still not let the citizens see what the real differences are between the candidates.Posing a question and not asking for explanations or justifications doesn't help the electorate decide the true value of an answer . Joel Cope, MIC President presented the questions to the candidates, some of which were prepared by members of the audience. Of particular notice was the local support for allowing chickens in the backyards. The biggest response from the very attentive audience was in fact the questions of taxes and more taxes being placed on citizens during an economic downturn and during a time that unemployment is once again above 9%.School board candidates were all committing to be the "Students biggest supporters" as they all do during election time.The race for Chairman of the Cobb Commision did have a few fireworks but still no challenges allowed or rebuttals permitted between the candidates. For a real handle on what and where candidates stand there needs to be a question asked, a time for rebuttal from the other candidates and a time for candidates to really question each other on records, claims and or answers.District four commission race was sparkled with three of the six candidates calling for "Communication between the county and local folk to be the cure all for all the problems in the district".One area of concern was the buses that were cancelled because of low or no ridership and why they cant be returned. Low ridership means more cash outlay by the county in supporting a system that is not used. The county is in dire need for a transfusion of cash and cannot keep spending money it does not have. The other interesting point was the building of residential homes next to industrial locations? Of interest was the candidate who purchased their home knowing it was next to an industrial site and now finds reason to complain about the industry that was present when the homes were built and sold.One candidate who is always upbeat and cheerful was a hit again with her very positive attitude. "I moved to Six Flags and I got out and got involved and that's what you all have to do". Monica Delancey said over and over again.Lets hope those in attendance listened and took home the ideas that went well with them and vote their conscience when they go to the polls.The fotos will give you a better idea about the well attended meeting in Mableton.