Junction City Commission candidates James Sands and David Alexander discussed the topic of bringing more retail business to the community.

Sands noted the city is continuing to grow. He stated companies look at demographics, noting they won’t support a Red Lobster Restaurant or Olive Garden in this community, and that Manhattan just barely got in on the numbers Olive Garden looks for.

“We have to stay positive about bringing people to this community. ”

Alexander stated the only way, for instance, to get a Red Lobster is to shop and eat locally.

“That’s how the companies see that they need to be here. They see the demand.”

Alexander and Sands are two candidates in the race for Junction City Commission. The others include George Marcus, Phyllis Fitzgerald, Tyler Dupy, Heinrich Biggs, and Pat Landes.

Sands and Alexander participated in a candidate forum hosted by KJCK AM, The Talk of JC on Wednesday. Tyler Dupy, Heinrich Biggs, and George Marcus will be guests on a similar forum Thursday from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., and Pat Landes and Phyllis Fitzgerald will be guests on a forum during the same time frame Friday on The Talk of JC.