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Scenes from the forum

With 13 candidates from four races at the Guilford Unity Effort forum Tuesday night, it was impossible to get every intriguing detail into the next day’s paper.

So here are some things you may have missed if you didn’t attend.

Big plans and campaign promises

Every candidate wants a better Greensboro. But how the heck do you get there? Here are some unique ideas candidates raised at:

Joseph Rahenkamp, candidate for District 4 and a retired firefighter, said he would like to see an elected police and fire commissioner is the city.

Candidate for District 3 Jay Ovittore promised to get a light rail system between Raleigh and Greensboro.

Ben Holder, candidate for District 1, pledged to get more city records online and easily accessible to residents.

Meet your next mayor

Incumbent Mayor Yvonne Johnson and challenger Bill Knight rounded out the evening of questions.

One query from the audience asked them to say what one asset made him or her stand out. Here’s what they said:

Johnson: One of my greatest assets is my commitment to public service.

Knight: My years of business experience.

Grace under pressure

Ben Holder, candidate for District 1, had a heckler Tuesday night.

A middle-aged gentleman shouted “bully” at Holder after he reached for the microphone, which the candidates were sharing as they answered the moderators’ questions.

Holder, who has heckled on occasion, didn’t blink as security shuffled the man out of the Greensboro Historical Museum auditorium

“Those who have known me for a long time just saw a huge change in my personality,” Holder said.

MIA

The forum – the first and perhaps the only public session for all the candidates before the primary – had two notable absentees: incumbents Mary Rakestraw and Zack Matheny.

Both informed organizers they could not attend late Tuesday afternoon.

Rakestraw, who is the current City Council at-large candidate who is running for District 4, said she had a scheduling conflict with the Landlords Association meeting. She sent along husband Frank, with her apologies.

Matheny, who is defending his District 3 seat, begged off, saying he was suffering from a stomach bug. He offered to take questions via email.

Deepest apologies

Scoop sends a sincere apology to William “Mike” Martin, candidate for District 4, for calling him Mr. Williams -- more than once – during the forum.

To make it up to you, we’ll grant you one verbal do-over. It’s the least we can do.

Next up

Candidates from the at-large, District 2 and District 5 races will face off Sept. 22 at the Greensboro Historical Museum, beginning at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Bring your questions for the candidates.