I walked into the Carver Center in Black Mountain just in time to hear David Gantt deliver the first of the opening remarks. Somewhere around fifty people turned out to hear the candidates and to ask them unscripted questions. Bill Stanley skipped the debate, and Carol Peterson apologized for him. She said he had to attend a Shrine Club meeting instead. If anyone asks, Bill Stanley was the big loser tonight for having his priorities out of whack. Everyone else came across as thoughtful and making a real run at the Commission. Incumbent Stanley’s absence spoke volumes.

The event was hosted by a group in Black Mountain called Democrats On The Move. They’re an independent group who put on a great forum. Thanks!

This “transcript” is rough as hell. My fingers were a-flyin’, but there’s only so much a brother can do. Direct quotes are in quotation marks. Everything else is an impression or paraphrased. Any mistakes are mine. I’ll probably follow up in the next little while with my personal take on the event, but this is as close to reportage as you’ll get here at ScruHoo.