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Candidates for Hazard Mayor, Perry sheriff attend forum.Editor's note: Story has been corrected to reflect that the mayoral race is nonpartisan.Candidates for Hazard mayor and Perry County sheriff shared their visions for the community during a public forum hosted at the Perry County Public Library on April 23, as voters prepare for the upcoming primary election on May 19.The forum, sponsored and broadcast live by WSGS and Invision Hazard along with other local businesses, featured Democratic candidates for mayor and both Democratic and Republican candidates for sheriff, giving each an opportunity to present their platforms and answer questions from the public.Mayoral candidates address experience, priorities Mayoral candidates Donald “Happy” Mobelini, James Logan Fields, Christian McGilton participated with candidate Howard Sumner absent, each receiving time to highlight key components of their campaigns.“I’ve lived here in Hazard all of my life,” said Fields.“I grew up in Walkertown and went to Walkertown School.I worked at WYMT and the fire department along with the water plant.” McGilton focused on community-centered initiatives and economic concerns.“I am originally from Thomasville, North Carolina,” said McGilton.“The center points of my campaign focus on bringing community back into the center position.If I am elected I will donate 25 percent of my annual income to charities, local projects and other things to benefit the community.I will secure additional funding to end the utilities crisis in the county.I will work to increase the pay of the fire department to match their services to the community.I want to bring back community.People, policy and progress, in that order.” Mobelini emphasized ongoing projects and infrastructure improvements.“I’ve lived in Hazard all of my life except when I graduated from Union College in 1984,” said Mobelini.“I grew up in Lothair and graduated from Hazard High School in 1980.I’ve raised three kids here and I worked with the Hazard City Schools for 39 years, had the best job anybody could ever have because it’s the best school anyone could work at.I’m running for re-election because we have a ton of momentum going on right now with the city and county with tons of projects and we want to see them come to the finish line.Our main one is the Buckhorn Water Plant.We have water problems but we have replaced 48,000 feet of waterline with another 120,000 funded, we have two interconnects with Knott County, a water tank on Liberty Street now with three million gallons in storage.We’ve replaced 49,000 feet of sewer line and added to the industrial park and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.We have the train rolling and we want to keep it going.” Candidates also responded to audience questions, including how they would support small businesses and attract new jobs.“In the last six years there’s been 75 new businesses created around downtown Hazard,” said Mobelini.“Those businesses helped create 250 jobs and most of those businesses are still open.We lost a few during the last flood but we’ve gained new ones since then.We have a downtown incentive program called the HDIP, the Hazard Downtown Incentive Program, we’ve distributed $106,480, so we’ve always tried to help the small businesses.If you drove through downtown seven years ago and looked now, you’ll see how we’ve invested in downtown.Like Scott Alexander and I have a plan to make Hazard and Perry County the small business capital of the world and we’re on the right track.” McGilton offered a different approach, focusing on larger-scale investment.“I think the first step toward bringing sustainable industry to Hazard is not focusing on tourism,” said McGilton, “Which the downtown incentive program has been a good program, I don’t think tearing down tourism is the answer but I think what we need to look for is securing the $3.8 billion the state of Kentucky has in savings to go toward the 27 water projects going on in Perry County, many of which are still ongoing.Many people, about one third of children, about one third of Hazard is in poverty.We need to bring high wage jobs and industry so people don’t move away.” Fields emphasized the need for higher-paying employment opportunities.“My theory is a little bit different,” said Fields “The small businesses don’t really do much for us.We need jobs that pay good money.We need jobs that pay $20-$22 an hour; everyone can’t live off of a small wage.Hobby Lobby and TJ Maxx will bring some revenue, but it’s going to kill the town.” Sheriff candidates highlight experience Candidates for Perry County sheriff also addressed the audience, with Democratic candidates Shawn White and Jesse Day in attendance and candidates James Jewell, Terry Brewer, Vanessa Combs and Shannon Woods were absent.White pointed to his decades of law enforcement experience and service within the community.“I have 27 years of law enforcement experience,” said White.“I was born and raised here in Perry County.I started my career in October of 1999 for the City of Hazard, went through the years until 2008 and was hired through the sheriff’s department.For the last 11 years I’ve had the opportunity to protect the kids of Perry County as a school resource officer and hope to continue to protect them as sheriff.” Day highlighted his current role and preparation for the position.“I’m from Chavies,” said Day.“My current role at the Perry County Sheriff’s Office right now is captain.I’m a range master.I’ve over vehicle supplies.I didn’t wake up one morning and decide to be sheriff; this is something I’ve been working on for three years.I’ve been studying the payroll.Right now we have a projected budget and that’s one thing I focus on as a frontline supervisor, not just for the men but for the public and if made sheriff, the men and women will be held to a higher standard on and off duty.” When asked about their qualifications, both candidates pointed to experience and training.“One of my first qualifications to be sheriff is I’m a front-line supervisor,” said Day.“This is something I’ve been working on for over three years.I am over maintenance, I’ve been through many training sessions and feel very qualified.” White emphasized his leadership roles and commitment to the community.“I have many years of law enforcement experience, having started my career at the Hazard City Police,” said White.“In that time, I was promoted to supervisor over several shifts.Over the years, I’ve had several training sessions.One of my first duties I had was the Oxyfest.I saw what Oxys did to our community, to our young kids, our families, and it pushed me more with police work.I want to help the people of Perry County by being their sheriff.” To see complete video of the forums, visit the WSGS Facebook page.