Morgan County candidates outline water, roads and drug-fighting plans at Rotary forum

The Morgan County Rotary Club hosted a candidate forum and fundraiser evening where local candidates for magistrate, sheriff, jailer, judge executive and state offices outlined priorities and answered audience questions.

Miles Hobbrook, speaking about his work as county attorney, told the audience he sees his role as prosecuting crimes, supporting family-court work and advising county government. "Your voice matters to me," Hobbrook said, describing outreach and an open-door promise for constituents.

Across contested races, candidates repeatedly named a short list of priorities. Water access and infrastructure drew persistent attention: Jim Gaz, the incumbent judge executive candidate, said the county has secured state funding and urged continued pursuit of grants and creative solutions such as community pump stations to reach hollows that cannot be served by buried lines. "We're going to have to think out of the box how to get that water at some of these hollers," Gaz said.

Public safety and the opioid epidemic were front-and-center for sheriff and jailer hopefuls. John Paul Turner, the Democratic candidate for sheriff, proposed hiring additional deputies including one focused on drug investigations and creating a crime tip line; Jeff Smith, a chief deputy now running for sheriff, emphasized school safety and monthly public reporting of sheriff's-office activity. Several candidates argued that local capacity to hold inmates — and the resulting county jail bill for transporting prisoners — increases pressure on the county budget; one speaker said, "If Morgan County had a jail, I believe that would solve a lot of our problems," though others warned the capital costs and operations would be substantial.

Magistrate candidates repeatedly raised roads and maintenance needs. Eric Pelfrey, running unopposed in District 1, said county investments bought road equipment without raising taxes. Other magistrate candidates pressed for more attention to rural road repair and small recreational projects such as parks for districts lacking them.

The event mixed short campaign remarks with audience-submitted questions. When magistrates were asked what they would do differently, answers ranged from scheduled district meetings to seeking competitive grants and working directly with road crews to assess drainage and repair needs.

The forum doubled as a fundraiser: multiple rounds of cake-and-pie auctions were conducted by auctioneers Teddy Creech and Mikey Whisman; individual items sold for amounts shown on the evening's bids (prices and buyers were announced throughout the auction).

State-level candidates also spoke. Eva Marquich Dalyaly, running for the state House, emphasized expanding health-care access, childcare and broadband, while incumbent State Representative Richard White highlighted recent state appropriations he said supported county roads and an emerging regional water plant intended to bring more water into Morgan County.

Senator Brandon Smith, who represents the region in Frankfort, stressed housing and utility-rate work and urged voters to review legislative records when deciding support.

The Rotary's host repeatedly encouraged attendance at fiscal-court meetings and participation in local government as part of ensuring candidates hear residents' needs. The evening closed after final remarks and a reminder of voting dates and next forum plans.

The forum produced no formal endorsements or votes; candidates said next steps would be to seek grants, pursue state and federal funding and, where applicable, collaborate with magistrates and state representatives to implement infrastructure and public-safety priorities.

What happens next: many candidates said they will follow up with residents, press for grant funding and pursue infrastructure projects (roads, water lines, radios for first responders) if elected. The Rotary Club proceeds from the auction were left for the club's programs and the evening ended with thanks to volunteers and broadcast partners.