Mayor candidate wont attend public forum

SPRINGHILL: Taking a step back before he puts his best foot forward, Springhill mayoral candidate David Wyatt says he will not participate in the Springhill Area Chamber of Commerce's meet the candidates forum.
Public speaking, Wyatt says, is not his forte.
"Anyone negotiating with me will lose," Wyatt says. "I'm good at it. But negotiating and debating are two different things."
Albeit, the candidates' forum is not a debate, Wyatt says he realizes public speaking is not his strongest suit and when matched against his fellow opponents for the mayoral position, Frank Likely and Allen Dill, Wyatt says the deck is stacked against him.
"Why, the other two gentleman running for mayor…they're both professional speakers," Wyatt says. "I do one-on-one. I don't have the voice for public speaking."
Wyatt cites Likely's years of radio experience and work as a minister and Allen's experience in giving presentations as reasons he won't pit his quiet demeanor against his opponents at the forum.
When questioned if his absence will deny the people an opportunity to get to know the candidate, Wyatt says it's not the cas, calling on the John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon debate of 1960 as an example of what he means. Nixon, 20-pounds underweight following a two-week stay in hospital, wore ill-fitted suite and refused makeup to cover his perpetual 5 o'clock shadow. Kennedy, by contrast, was tanned and confident after campaigning in California. Nixon himself would later state of his opponent, "I never seen him looking so fit."
Wyatt's says Kennedy's good looks and command of public speaking gave him the advantage over Nixon and Wyatt is of the opinion his public speaking abilities could hurt his campaign more than help him.
"It's not a case of ignoring the people," Wyatt says. "It's knowing what you're good at… If I had the good looks and strong voice I'd be all for it, but no one wants to hear my quiet, squeaky voice. Even now you can tell my voice is going."
"I admit, I've heard Mr. Dill do a speech and he's fantastic. And Mr. Likely worked 10 years as a radio DJ. He has a [strong] voice"
"I'm not a very good public speaker," Dill countered when notified of Wyatt's decision not to participate at the forum and the reasons why.
Dill and Likely both expressed disappointment Wyatt will not participate in the forum but the two divide on how the Chamber of Commerce should handle the loss.
Dill feels the Chamber should open the floor to the nine people running for the community's four councilor chairs while Likely says the scope of the forum should remain on the community's next leader-in-chief.
"Even if it was for two minutes so the candidates could stand up and introduce themselves and a little about themselves," Dill says.
"I think it would be very hard to have a forum with all councilors and mayoral candidates and not extend it beyond people's comfort levels," Likely says.
Likely, too, says he's disappointed the people won't have a chance to hear Wyatt at the forum.
"We'd love to have him but each of us have to chose how best to run their campaigns."
Wyatt says Dill and Likely will have to hold the floor without him. That's not to mean the future won't change, but Wyatt says he's pretty confident he'll stand by decision.
"When I say "No" it's not in stone. If someone can find a reason I'm wrong I'll change it."
Unfortunately, Springhill Area Chamber of Commerce president Adrien Baillargeon says, he can't think of one of those reasons.
"If one doesn't want to attend I won't bend his arm" Ballargeon says.
Wyatt's refusal, Baillargeon says, is a first for the Chamber since it began hosting the forum.
"We've never had anybody say they wouldn't come on and it's unfortunate he's turning down the opportunity to say what he'd do for the town," Baillargeon said.
The candidates' forum will be held Wed, Oct. 8, at the Springhill High School at 8 p.m.