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City election candidates to speak at forum April 10
Published Thursday, March 27, 2008
NATCHEZ — Aldermen and mayoral candidates will get to voice their platforms at the Natchez Political Candidates Forum, April 10 and the deadline for candidate participation is Friday.
The forum, which will take place at the Natchez Convention Center, is no new thing to the city of Natchez but has taken on a slightly new form.
This year there will be a moderator and three panelists to conduct the question portion.
“We’re taking a cue from the CNN debates,” said Stephanie Hutchins, co-chair of the governmental committee of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce.
The hosts of the forum, the Chamber of Commerce, The Natchez Business and Civic League, The Natchez Democrat and First Natchez Radio Group, submit the questions that will be asked to each candidate.
The candidate will then have a certain amount of time, depending on how many candidates sign up, to answer the questions.
As of Wednesday afternoon, four candidates had signed up for the forum.
At 4 p.m., on the day of the forum, participating candidates are allowed to come to the convention center and set up campaign materials at tables around the room.
“That is a new twists so they can distribute their own campaign materials,” Hutchins said.
The public will be invited in at 5 p.m. and can walk around the room to pick up materials and to talk to the candidates.
Thirty minutes later the questioning will take place.
Hutchins said the forum is especially important this year.
“We felt that the upcoming elections are so crucial, we (are) trying to present an opportunity for our citizens to have a good platform to evaluate the candidates,” Hutchins said.
Debbie Hudson, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said that is the duty of all the hosts.
“We all have a commitment together to help everybody see what their choices are,” Hudson said.
Hutchins said especially with the issues the city is facing right now, from Rentech to Natchez Regional Medical Center, there is a lot to be discussed.
She said each year they have the forum there is always a good turnout, from both citizens and candidates.
“We’re always really pleased with these and that’s why we decided to do it bigger and better this time,” Hutchins said.
Hudson said she expects a good turnout.
Comments
Posted by natchez500 (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i can't wait to see this
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If I lived in Natchez, I would most certainly attend! I like circus acts.
Posted by jack (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yes it will be a circus act always set up someone with stupid questions like in the presidents race I bet mayor west is a no show
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on March 27, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The clowns were always my favorite part of the circus. Generally, the clowns did not speak but just acted crazy/funny.
The downtown clowns are known for their oratory not their clever costumes. And they would be crazy/funny if they did not waste so much of our tax dollar.
But then the elephants were fun to see at the circus, you know loud and messy! Pun intended.
Then there were the aerialist and high wire performers. Amazing feats and impressive but.............
Then there was the cotton candy and carmel popcorn. You know, sugar full of air and sugar coated popcorn.
When the circus was over, you go back home to the same old, same old.
My, my, I love politics.
Posted by gator (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I realize that this is not the place but I did call the police also . If anyone knows who owns the 6 brown horses in pasture off Fisk avenue in Natchez please check on your animals . I saw 5 Natchez high students with pellets guns shooting and chasing those horses . Those retarded kids are going to seriously injure those horses . The pasture is across the street from what used to be a skating rink years ago . Its in the blue bird neighborhood,fidelity tire company is there also . There's a trailer park right in front of the horse pasture ( what used to be the Burns furniture store also ) . Anyone reading this and knows the owners of those animals please call him .
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on March 27, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for getting involved gator!
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