Whether it was because there was a hurricane hovering off the East Coast or because there are only a few contested seats in play, a candidate forum held last Thursday at the Gwynn’s Island Civic League in Mathews was only sparsely attended by the public.

Candidates were in good supply, however. In spite of the fact that only the sheriff’s office and the board of supervisors have contested seats, all candidates were invited to attend and all appeared—except for sheriff’s candidate Gene Bouscher, who had declined the invitation due to a prior commitment.

Bouscher said in an e-mail on Tuesday that he would be at two upcoming forums: one at the Piankatank Ruritan Club held in cooperation with the Mathews County Woman’s Club on Monday, Oct. 19, and one at the West Mathews Civic League on Oct. 21. Both forums begin at 7 p.m.

Each candidate was given two minutes for introductory remarks before moderator Tyrone Hudgins began asking prepared questions that focus...