Who was the winner? We#039;ll have to wait until November

Published 12:00 am Saturday, October 18, 2003

So who won last night?" "Won what?" I responded. "The mayors candidates."

It was a question I was asked several times on Friday, the day after a candidates forum intended to give the public a side-by-side look at the candidates for various elected leadership positions in Ironton.

But after the Ironton school board candidates and the Ironton city council candidates made their pitches and answered audience-provided questions, it was time for the big guys to come out.

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Incumbent Mayor Bob Cleary and his challenger, Councilman John Elam, took the stage and the audience leaned forward and listened to every word the pair had to say.

Sponsored by the Ironton Co-Operative Club, the forum was not a traditional debate, but rather a chance for candidates to make an opening statement and then take turns answering questions.

Cleary looked slightly nervous seated before the crowd. Facing down nearly 200 people is enough to make most folks nervous. But Cleary's message was clear and unwavering: Reelect me because my experience will help keep the city moving in the right direction.

And those years of "experience" were exactly what challenger Elam pointed to when explaining why people should elect him as the new mayor.

Without directly pointing the blame toward Cleary, Elam pointed out that since the year Cleary took office as mayor, 1997, Ironton has lost 1,500 jobs.

Cleary pointed out that neither he nor anyone else could do much to avoid some of the massive loss of jobs. He could neither stop Cabletron from going out of business nor stop Ironton Iron from leaving. Both of which are probably true.

Regardless, Elam's point was well taken and solidified how he plans to separate himself from Cleary. It was the proverbial challenger's question: Are you better off today than you were four years ago? Or, in this case, six years ago?

It's an easy question to throw at the man on top of the hill. And right now, Cleary's on top of that hill. It's easy for folks to toss stones at the guy on top, regardless of whether those stones are deserved or not.

In addition to playing the "change" card, Elam focused heavily on family values. Elam said he hoped that by changing some of the negative economic trends, he could keep his children close by when they grow up.

"What makes me the best candidate is that I have a reason," Elam said. "I have a wife and two children that my life revolves around."

Again, it's hard to argue with that universal logic.

Cleary, wisely pointed to a number of positive things happening in the community. He pointed to the new South Ironton Industrial Park, construction of a new fire station, hiring of an economic development director and other improvements as proof he's got the city moving forward.

"I have a lot of experience. I have lived here my whole life and worked here," Cleary said. "I know what it takes to make the system work."

So who won? It's difficult to say. The only clear winners were the voters who were able to see the two candidates up close and personal.

Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Ironton Tribune. He can be reached by calling (740) 532-1445 ext. 12 or by e-mail to kevin.cooper@irontontribune.com.