The Concerned Citizens of Lincoln County met at 6:30 p.m. on October 16 at the library for their monthly meeting.

President Al Bean opened the meeting, vice president, Linda Burns, welcomed the members and visitors, Wade Johnson gave the invocation and president Al Bean led the Pledge of Allegiance.

President Al Bean made several comments in reference to the proposed Constitutional Amendments that will be appearing on the upcoming ballot in the November election and advised everyone to read and to understand each item before voting.

Vice president Linda Burns encouraged all of the members and visitors to go out and vote to make sure their voices would be heard. She also informed all voters that if they needed a ride to the poles to contact the CCLC and they would try to assist in any way we could. She also informed everyone that there had been a formal invitation sent to all of the county candidates from Lincoln County to give them an opportunity to speak and to state their platform. Some of the invited candidates sent letters informing us they appreciated the invitation to speak and to state their platform, but they would not be able to attend as they had previous obligations that they had already committed to.

The candidates that were present were introduced and given an opportunity to speak.

The first candidate to speak was Mr. Rob Robinson who is seeking to be elected to District 4 Commissioner seat. His opposing candidate is Mr. Allen Walker. Mr. Robinson gave a very informative speech covering several items that he felt needed to be addressed and stated that when he was elected he would work for all of the citizens of the county.

Our next speaker, Mr. Brian Henderson who is seeking to be elected to District 1 School Board of Education, his opposing candidate is Denise Freeman. Mr. Henderson spoke of his concern as to many of the ways the school addresses problems and not taking into consideration the citizens input. He stated when he is elected that he would listen to the citizens of the county and address their concerns to the school board. He assured us that he would do whatever he could to see that our concerns would be brought to the school board and that he would do whatever he could for all the citizens of the county.

Mr. Gerald Lawson who is seeking re-election for sheriff of Lincoln County, his opposing candidate is Mr. Bruce Beggs, spoke next. Mr. Lawson covered several items pertaining to the sheriff's office and gave his qualifications and record as why he should remain as sheriff of the county. He also addressed several questions asked by the audience helping them to understand some of the things that had been said in reference to the sheriff's department. "When I am reelected, I will do everything legally possible to help all of the citizens of the county and continue to make you, the citizens, proud of our sheriff's department," Lawson stated.

Mr. Joe Banks who is seeking to be elected Judge of Probate Court, his opposing candidate is Mr. Lee Moss, spoke next. Mr. Banks gave a very informative speech and spoke of his concerns about some things that were taking place in Lincoln County and felt that they needed to be addressed. He informed the CCLC that when he is elected he would conduct an audit and make sure that ev- erything would be in good order and if further action was necessary, he would take whatever steps that were needed to put that office back in good standing.

Mr. Wade Johnson who is seeking to be elected County Commission Chairman, his opposing candidate is Mr. Walker Norman, spoke next. Mr. Johnson informed the citizens as to his qualifications and to his concerns about the way the county is being ran and not addressing the concerns of the citizens. He said that he is very concerned as to the high taxes and high property appraisals that the citizens are burdened with that is causing many of the retired citizens to leave as they can no longer afford the high property appraisals and high taxes.

He also informed us that retired citizens are some of the best citizens, they volunteer their time and experiences at no cost to the county and do not contribute to any of the problems within the county. The county should be doing everything within their power to see that we keep our good citizens and not allow our population to decline any more as citizens are leaving because of building restrictions thus making it impossible for anyone to be able to afford to replace, upgrade, or rebuild. The county should be looking at job opportunity and helping to keep the jobs and businesses in the county. He also stated that he was concerned of the lack of vocational and technical training within the county. The county's job is to work with the citizens and make it a good and affordable place to live.