State Senator Becky Schmitz Was The First Speaker At "Meet The Candidates Night" Hosted By Free County.
(KCII’s Chance Dorland)

Nearly 40 people attended a “Meet The Candidates” event in Washington to hear from State Senator Becky Schmitz and District 5 Supervisor candidates Richard Gilmore and Ron Bennett. The forum took place yesterday night at the Washington Pizza ranch, and featured mostly discussions of whether to repair secondary roads and how to  repeal Washington County’s newly enacted zoning ordinance.  Ron Bennett said this fall’s election ballot should include a non-binding zoning question so the supervisors “would at least have to consider here’s what the majority of people want.”  Richard Gilmore said zoning passed because “we weren’t paying attention” and is now “strangling small business”, the force he says drives job creation.  The event was held by Free County, a group that says it informs the public on freedom issues.