Bruce Lile, Donald Bradley, and John Bayliss stand in the spotlight at BHS.

The Logan County Election Forum was held at the Bellefontaine High School on Thursday evening and was carried live on 1390 WBLL The Bell.

The Logan County branch of the American Association of University Women and The Bellefontaine Examiner sponsored the event.

Local candidates answered questions that were selected by the sponsored organizations, which included questions submitted by readers of the Examiner. (Audio interviews included.)

They both said that storefronts in downtown Bellefontaine need to be filled and empty factories need new companies to fill their walls.

Bayliss talked of the recent expansion of some companies in the area, including Honda Transmission Manufacturing and Midstates Packaging. Bayliss did agree that the county could be doing more.

All candidates were concerned about the future of the fairgrounds. They all agreed that support from the county is very important.

Bradley feels the county needs to work with each county department and go through the budget and use of public property such as cell phones and county trucks.

Bayliss said the commissioners are currently working on a policy to address the use of public property. He said it is a "difficult and challenging issue."

In the closing statements Bruce Lile said that, "This election is not about us, it's about you and where you want to go. There will be no doors on my office if I am elected, and nothing will be done behind closed doors."

Bayliss closed with, "These are challenging times, but this is a great community, and I am proud to represent you."

Bradley ended by saying, "I didn't come here tonight for fence jumping, I want to meet you part way."

Smith and Murray answer questions asked by moderator Joel Mast

Both candidates agreed that there is room for improvement with relations with other police departments in the county.

Listen to Andrew Smith talk about his top priority if elected

They also agreed that the jail needs to be utilized to help with jail inmates for other departments and counties, as long as it provides revenue for the county.

Murray was asked if he did proper background checks on officers that he has hired in West Liberty. Murray said that he did, and plans to do better background checks if elected.

Ron Murray talks about his top priority if elected

Smith was asked how he would be different than current leadership since he is currently in the department. Smith said that was a fair question and, "I am honest and trustworthy, and very black and white. There are 91 people in the department, and 91 people in that office want leadership. I will respond to that."

The event will air on WBCS, channel 18, periodically until the election.

You can hear local political talk every Friday morning at nine with "Zell on the Bell" on WBLL.