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Published: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 / Updated: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 08:45 AM

Lions step in to host cancelled forum

Residents invited to Saturday breakfast to hear from District 48 candidates

LAKE WYLIE -- 

Flu or no flu, area residents still deciding how to cast their votes for S.C. House Dist. 48 will get their chance to see and hear the candidates.

The Lake Wylie Pilot and Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce forum scheduled Thursday, Oct. 15, was cancelled last week after event host Lake Wylie Retirement & Assisted Living Center shared concerns about several residents coming down with the flu. Arrangements were quickly made to allow public access to another forum Saturday.

“Obviously, they've got their hands full,” said Susan Bromfield, president of the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce. “We never want to cancel anything. We always want to make it work.”

The River Hills Lions Club, who had Republican Ralph Norman and Democrat Kathy Cantrell set to debate during the club's Oct. 17 breakfast meeting at River Hills Country Club, offered to open their forum to the public. The Lions meetings, which number 90 to 100 people, generally are reserved only for Lions.

“That makes it that much more important to be open to the public,” said Lion Fred Glickman, one of the organizers.

The Lions forum will not be a moderated debate, but instead will allow both candidates to offer prepared statements following breakfast, followed by a question-and-answer session.

“The idea is for each of them to identify what they feel are the pressing issues facing the state and area during the next few years, and what actions they plan to undertake,” Glickman said.

The past week has been interesting for the District 48 candidates. Cantrell of River Hills received an endorsement from Jim Rex, state superintendent of education.

“Kathy Cantrell knows there is no more important work than that done by our public schools in preparing students for higher education and ensuring that they are ready with the skills they need to enter the work force,” Rex said in a statement. “She is committed to South Carolina families and to giving our children the very best educational opportunities.”

Rock Hill businessman Norman spent part of last week with Gov. Mark Sanford, who according to the Lake Wylie Pilot's sister paper The Herald, visited Rock Hill at Norman's request for a pharmacy grand opening.

“I think the world of Ralph Norman,” Sanford said, according to the Herald.

The special election for the District 48 will be held Nov. 3. The winner fills out the term vacated by Carl Gullick, who left for a family move to Kentucky. The Nov. 3 election schedule also includes other municipal votes. The York County Regional Chamber of Commerce will host another event featuring Cantrell and Norman, along with candidates for the Fort Mill School Board, Oct. 26 at Fort Mill High School, with a meet and greet at 6:30 p.m. and the District 48 candidates forum beginning at 7:45 p.m. The same group also will host candidates running for Tega Cay offices Oct. 27 at the Philip T. Glennon Community Center in Tega Cay, beginning at 6 p.m.

But for Lake Wylie, many in the area say the District 48 seat is key, given the unincorporated area is not represented with a mayor, council members or the like. The Lions hope their event will be an opportunity for many to hear about important issues impacting them at home.

“It would be nice for this stuff not to be lost among the minutia,” Glickman said.