Senior Center holds ‘Meet the Candidates’ Forum

It was a packed house at the Mountain Home Senior Center on Oct. 17 for the political forum.

The Mountain Home Senior Center held its "Meet the Candidate" Political Forum on Oct. 17th. All local candidates in a contested race were in attendance and a large crowd came out to ask questions of them.

This forum worked a bit differently from the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce's forum, with the candidates being given the chance to make a rebuttal to any question in which the other candidate used their name. The other difference was that audience members did not have to stand up and ask the questions. No one knew who asked each question that was read from a piece of paper.

To begin the event MC Mike Hollinshead gave each candidate a chance to introduce themselves.

Sitting Mountain Home Mayor, Rick Sykes went first. He began by thanking everyone for coming and introducing his family as well as his "work family" who were in attendance.

"I'm a humble man, a grateful man," Sykes said.

He went on to say that when he ran for office four years ago he was "tired of living under Boise/Treasure Valleys shadow" here in Mountain Home.

"I'm honored to serve, hopefully you'll allow me to be face of city for four more years," Sykes said.

Mayoral Candidate Jimmy Schipani began by saying he has lived in Mountain Home for 36 years and has been on the City Council for the past eight years.

"I look forward to serving this great community," Schipani said, adding that his goal is to help the city grow.

City Council Candidate Mike McCain began by saying he has lived in Mountain Home for 60 years and has worked for the City of Mountain Home for the past 15 years.

"I'm very well aware that there is many things that the city needs done, but we need a plan first and to set a budget," McCain said.

He went on to say that he has an extensive knowledge of ordinances and statutes due to his job. He also said that as a councilman he will work hard for the citizens.

"If I don't have an answer, I'll find it," Mccain said.

Council Candidate Kristopher Wallaert explained that he has lived in Mountain Home for nine years, he is a teacher at Hacker Middle School and has been a member of the Mountain Home Fire Department for the past five. He is also a board member of the Backpack Bridge.

His goal for running for council is to bring "honesty, integrity and accountability" back to the city government.

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