Thursday morning the first of four informal Mount Airy mayoral candidate forums was held at the Good Life Café, with roughly two dozen people turning out for the event.

We commend those souls who were on hand, asking questions of candidate Deborah Cochran. Some of the questions were relatively simple ones in which nearly everyone there clearly agreed, while others were a little more pointed and tougher to answer.

Those attending the event got to see an unscripted community meeting, with city residents asking a mayor candidate about whatever was close to their hearts, and getting off-the-cuff, unrehearsed answers. It was, at its core, a fine example of one seeking election directly and immediately answerable to those whom she is seeking to serve. Those in attendance will now be better informed on issues and on Cochran’s presence and interaction with the public.

We hope at least as many people will come out for the next three forums, with Teresa Lewis, Paul Eich and Gene Clark, scheduled each of the next three Thursday mornings.

It is also gratifying to see a local businessman, in this case Burke Robertson, organizing such an event. In doing so, he is giving the public a forum to get to know the candidates better, and in his own way, performing a public service.