 |
Plainfield's League of Women Voters has been presenting candidate forums for 93 years. |
Plainfield's League of Women Voters chapter will hold its 2013 General Election candidates' forum this evening beginning at 6:30 PM (note time) at the Emerson School cafetorium.
The eveninhg kicks off with an hour with the six candidates for three three-year seats on the Board of Ed. There are two slates running. Though school board elections are nonpartisan, the two slates in the race have distinctly Democratic and Republican alignments.
Incumbent board president Wilma Campbell and current board member Frederick Moore Sr. have been joined by political newcomer David Rutherford. Rutherford takes the place of original 'Grandslammer' Renata Hernandez, who has chosen not to run for re-election.
This slate is opposed by three newcomers: Annabella Melgar, Richard Lear and Deborah Clarke. The threesome have been stumpig the community for weeks to get their names and point of view out.
You can view biographical info on candidates and their answers to questions posed by the LWV at the local chapter's blog (see here).
Following the Board of Ed forum, the League will turn the public's attention to the contested municipal races: the Ward 4 council seat and the mayoral race.
While Democratic candidate (and incumbent) Bridget Rivers was the only Council candidate at the NAACP forum (her opponent Barbara Johnson ws absent because of health issues), League of Women Voters rules require opposing candidates to both be present in order to participate. (This rule was highlighted during the primary race when incumbent mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs failed to appear, causing the LWV moderator to declare the forum closed, but with attendees gathering round candidate Adrian Mapp, giving him a solo opportunity.)
The four mayoral candidates will then have their say.
These include Democratic nominee (and incumbent Councilor) Adrian O. Mapp; Sandy Spector, who is both the Republican candidate and chair of the local GOP; and independent candidates Mustapha Muhammad and D. Scott Belin.
Each of the mayoral candidates has a website where their platforms are more fully explained: Adrian O. Mapp (here), Sandy Spector (here), Mustapha Muhammad (here) and D. Scott Belin (here).
Emerson School is at East 3rd Street and Emerson Avenue. Parking available in the school lot or on the street.
Posts
1 comments:
Dan: we learned at mid-day today that the GOP candidate for the Fourth Ward is sick and cannot participate. LWV policy is not to do "empty chair" debates, so there will be nothing for the Fourth Ward. Council President Rivers will be acknowledged if she attends. This gives more time for the six Board candidates and four mayoralty hopefuls. See you there.
Post a Comment