The Florence mayoral candidates participated in the roundtable discussion sponsored by WVNA AM and discussed many seemingly sensitive issues like the proposed Bass Pro Shop and city-operated Blackberry Trail golf course. Current Florence mayor Bobby Irons, Councilman Scott Carrier, and local accountant Josh Hargett also discussed what they thought would be a good development for Veterans Park. Carrier suggested a commercial recreation site, like a water park. Irons said he had heard ideas about the water park, but worried a water park would dominate the space. Hargett does not believe that the city should be involved with any business, including a water park. The appearance of Veterans Drive also came up because of the increased travel due to the Patton Island Bridge Project.
The candidates also outlined briefly the focus of their campaign.Current Mayor Bobby Irons mentioned the additional 5,700 jobs that have come to the Florence area in the last five years and suggests that Florence will need an experienced person to keep the momentum going. Carrier would like to focus on closing the disconnect between Florence and its young people, hopefully to retain college graduates and other young adults with more local opportunities. Hargett feels that the entire nation is in a struggle over how much government involvement is necessary, and he feels Florence is overstepping its boundaries in that area.