Job creation, economic development and Lorain County’s failing airport were among the issues in contention at an open forum for county-wide Democratic candidates at West Lecture Hall on Thursday night.

Candidates for Common Pleas Judge, Prosecutor, County Commissioner and State Representative spoke at the event, which was cosponsored by the Oberlin Area Democrats and the Oberlin College Democrats.

First-year Charles Sohne of the OC Democrats opened the proceedings by casting the races in a national context.

“As Democrats we all want the same thing,” he said, “positive change for this county, this state and this country and we’re going to get it in November.”

The candidates for Common Pleas Judge avoided policy questions, instead focusing on their records of service to the county court system.

Candidate Geoffrey Smith was asked a direct question from the audience about his stance on Roe v. Wade to which he simply stated that he would “follow the law of the land.”

His fellow candidates echoed his sentiments. Jay Grunda pledged to “respect not only the law but the judicial system.”

Ken Rothgery, who represented the campaign of his son Christopher came the closest to a political stand when he said that mandatory sentencing rules should be lifted to “allow judges to be judges.”

The race for prosecutor pits Brendan Mackin against Dennis P. Will. Both men emphasized their backgrounds, with Mackin highlighting his experience as a prosecutor in Cuyahoga County and Will recounting his rise through the ranks from rookie cop to the prosecutor’s office.

There are two seats currently open on the Lorain County Commissioner’s Board. In the race to fill the seat being vacated by David Moore, the four candidates debated the future viability of two Lorain County institutions, the transit system and the airport.

Lorain County Community College professor Juan Molina Crespo proposed that a complete assessment be done on its ridership and its routes. He was more direct on the subject of the airport.

“We will never get ahead in terms of making the airport profitable. We should seek a way to privatize it,” he said.

Businessman Ted Kalo disagreed, describing the airport as “vital to our county’s economy” and describing himself as a great proponent of the LCT.

A representative from the Michael Nu¢ez campaign described his candidate’s background in the police department and commitment to helping farmers and turning Lorain County into a tourist destination by developing the lakefront.

David Urig emphasized his commitment to responsible budget management.

“Without strong finances and a policy of fiscal restraint we can’t have an adequate economic development effort,” he said.

In the second County Commissioner’s race, three Democrats are running for the nomination against incumbent Mary Jo Vasi.

A spokesperson for Vasi’s campaign responded to some of the attacks that have been made against her candidate.

“Don’t believe the rumors of a poll that says she will lose the general election,” she said. “No such poll exists. Mary Jo Vasi is the only candidate who can win this election.”

Her challengers avoided attacking, instead laying out their plans to improve the employment situation in the county.

“What we need to do is turn poverty jobs into living wage jobs and make sure small businesses have a right to grow,” Jack Kilroy said.

“We can’t compete with China or Mexico in manufacturing,” Jeff Fogt said. “What we need are government subsidies for employers that create jobs.”

None of the three candidates for state representative from the 56th House district were present but the campaigns of Joseph Koziura and Kathy Tavener sent representatives.

Koizura’s spokesperson weighed in on Ohio’s current culture war over the Defense of Marriage Act.

“The act that has been enacted is one of the most restrictive in the country and may even be a disincentive for companies to set up business in Ohio,” she said.

Tavener’s daughter Kristal told the audience how “family values” were integral to her mother’s belief system.

“She’s an independent thinker who believes she can restore accountability to this district,” she said.

Also featured at the forum was the race for the State Central Committee. The candidates who appeared onstage were Thelma Adams, Kara Joy Afratas, Ann Tanner, John Bender, Gregory Holcomb and Richard Romero.

The forum was hosted by Oberlin City Councilman Ronald Rimbert, who ended the event by calling for party unity.

“When all the smoke clears we have to remember that we’re all Democrats and we’re going to stick together in 2004.”