Belated: Goode, Weed hold free forum

NEWS- Belated: Goode, Weed hold free forum

One thing seemed a little odd about the list of seven forums that Fifth District candidates Al Weed and incumbent Virgil Goode scheduled across the state: The only meeting where Charlottesvillians could glimpse the candidates had a $25 entry fee.

That would be a noon October 20 lunch sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. True, there's an October 19 radio show on WVTF where listeners can call in, but it appeared that Charlottesville voters who wanted to see the candidates in the flesh would have to pay for the privilege.

An October 14 forum hosted by the Ruritan Club of Buckingham County seems like a much better deal: free admission and free dinner.

Why do Charlottesville voters have to pay to meet the candidates?

"This sounds like a Chamber sort of thing to raise money," says Weed campaign manager Dave Mills. "Al Weed wants as many people as possible to see him."

Calls to the Chamber last week inquiring if the event was open to the public and if attendees could skip lunch and see the candidates for free were unanswered until October 12. Yes, the public may come and see the candidates without eating lunch, says Chamber spokesman Larry Banner, but they do have to call 295-3141 to reserve a chair in the back of the room.

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Epilogue: On October 10, the Weed campaign announced a last-minute Weed-and-Goode forum at the Northside Library October 13. Its billing on the Weed press release? The "Only Forum In Charlottesville Area With Free Admission."

Al Weed (D)
PHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO

Virgil Goode (R)
PHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO

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