Local Candidate Forums Set Across Four Communities
Local Candidate Forums Set Across Four Communities
Anonymous
Key Points
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West Virginia Delegate Evan Hansen said candidate forums are especially valuable because voters have difficulty finding reliable information amid misinformation and disinformation: “There’s no better way than to come to an event like this and meet us and hear how we talk about the issues.”
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The Saline City Council race includes Daniel Burgess, Janet Dillon, Bret Pollington and write-in candidate Miri Weidner; Dillon is the only candidate seeking reelection. The forum is organized by the League of Women Voters of Washtenaw County and the Saline District Library.
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Stittsville’s council seat is open because Glen Gower, who had promised to serve only two terms, announced in February that he would not seek a third term. The debate hosted by the Stittsville Village Association drew about 150 people.
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Transit concerns were illustrated by candidate Kevin Hua, who said he regularly naps during the long bus ride downtown, while candidate Tanya Hein called transit the ward’s “number one priority.”
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At the Shreveport forum, KTBS 3 said it would televise a separate mayoral forum in October in partnership with the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, with the event broadcast from LSU Shreveport.
Voters across four communities are getting rare chances to question local and state candidates face-to-face before upcoming elections. From West Virginia to Michigan to Canada to Louisiana, candidate forums are drawing crowds eager to hear directly from hopefuls on housing, transit, public safety and other pressing issues. WV DTCV reported that Morgantown hosted a forum where candidates discussed Flock Safety cameras, homelessness and rising costs. These events offer voters what West Virginia Delegate Evan Hansen calls relief from confusion: "There's no better way than to come to an event like this and meet us and hear how we talk about the issues."
Morgantown Forum Tackles Cameras, Homelessness and Development
In Morgantown, West Virginia, Mountaineers Indivisible Citizen Action hosted a candidate forum that drew contenders for county commission, state Senate and House positions. Candidates fielded questions about Flock Safety surveillance cameras, homelessness in the area, rising costs of living and proposed data centers. The event gave voters direct access to candidates—something West Virginia Delegate Evan Hansen says is critical in an age of misinformation.
Michigan City Council Race Offers Online and In-Person Viewing
Saline, Michigan will hold its City Council forum on September 30, featuring four candidates: Daniel Burgess, Janet Dillon, Bret Pollington and write-in candidate Miri Weidner. Dillon is the only candidate seeking reelection. The League of Women Voters of Washtenaw County and the Saline District Library are organizing the event. Voters can attend in person, watch a livestream or view a recording. Residents can submit questions in advance.
Ottawa Ward Debates Transit, Development and Housing Costs
In Ottawa's Stittsville ward, all nine city council candidates debated at an event hosted by the Stittsville Village Association. About 150 people attended. The debate focused on inadequate transit, a proposed Carp Road widening, townhouse development, parking shortages, housing affordability and tax revenue. Candidate Kevin Hua said he regularly naps on long bus rides downtown. Candidate Tanya Hein called transit the ward's "number one priority." The forum was held because incumbent Glen Gower, who promised to serve only two terms, announced in February he would not seek a third term.
Shreveport Mayoral Forum Draws Six of Seven Candidates
In Shreveport, Louisiana, six mayoral candidates participated in a nonpartisan forum hosted by the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The forum covered public safety, infrastructure, youth development, city services and resident concerns. Attendees included Mayor Tom Arceneaux, Caddo Commissioners John Paul Young and Stormy Gage-Watts, State Representative Tammy Phelps, former Commissioner Michael Williams and businessman Sia Ravari. Candidate Chaunta Mero did not attend. Additional forums are planned by the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice and by KTBS 3 with the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce at LSU Shreveport. KTBS 3 will televise a separate mayoral forum in October from LSU Shreveport.
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