The third and final political forum sponsored by the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce was held Tuesday night at the Iron Block Building in downtown Frankfort. Between 60 and 65 individuals packed into the Chamber office to hear the views of incumbent Scott Shoemaker and challenger Richelle Lutz, who are both vying the Clinton County Commissioners District 3 seat.
Lutz is a resident of Boyleston where her family has had 80 acres of property in the town since 1830. Shoemaker lives in eastern Clinton County.
The two discussed a wide variety of topics with the main topics being the opioid crisis in the county and getting sewer and water out to Interstate 65.
“There are a lot of good things happening in the city and the county,” said Shoemaker. “We need to continue to work on getting sewer and water out to the interstate.”
Lutz disagreed.
“It is not important to move to 65,” she said. “We need to regenerate Frankfort. There are no high paying jobs here.”
Lutz also had a strong opinion about the opioid problem in Frankfort and Clinton County.
“The opioid problem is in the whole county,” said Lutz. “We need to build a rehab place in Frankfort and I think the old CVS building would be a perfect spot for that. This area is nothing but a nest of opioid users.”
Lutz had another issue with the fact there are those living in the city who are working for the county and vice versa. Shoemaker took exception with that.
“I think a lot of emphasis was on me being a city employee,” said Shoemaker. “But I really didn’t talk about Frankfort at all. I’m proud to be a city employee and this seems to be an issue that keeps being brought up by a few people.
“Look at what we do,” added Shoemaker. “People can say things, but I barely interact (with the city officials). My boss is the police chief and he interacts more with the mayor than I do. To say the things that (Lutz) said about the mayor tonight were unnecessary because they are not factual.”
About the only thing Shoemaker and Lutz agreed on was the fact they are both against wind farms.
Asked what he thought about the forum, Shoemaker said, “I think a lot of people thought what was going to happen tonight and I stressed about it all day long. But I thought we held a pretty professional forum tonight.”
Lutz, who tried unsuccessfully for a Clinton County Council seat a few years back, said she has been involved in government for 22 years.
“I tell the truth and no one wants to hear it,” said Lutz. “Ihave a passion for this county and the city.”
The primary election is set for Tuesday, May 8.