Candidates seeking local and state office outlined their views on youth substance use prevention, mental health services and community support programs as they discussed issues affecting young people in Ray County. The comments came during a nonpartisan candidate forum hosted by the Ray County Coalition, which works to address challenges facing children and families through prevention, education and community engagement. The event featured prepared questions tied to the coalition’s mission and included presiding commissioner candidates Brianna Rock, Ron White, Ben Aldrich and Gary Wilhite. Also included were Kurt Croix, county clerk candidate, and Missouri House District 7 candidate Jeremy Clevenger. For responses from Croix and Clevenger, see page 7. Each presiding commissioner candidate introduced themselves and explained their reasons for seeking office. Rock grew up in Kearney, moved to Lawson in 2018 and earned a psychology degree from William Jewell College. An insurance…