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Boone Chamber To Hold Candidates Forum on Monday, Listen on WATA-1450, See Ballot

By Jesse Wood

The Boone Area Chamber is encouraging voter participation by hosting a “Meet the Candidates” forum on Monday, Oct. 19, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The forum takes place in the Boone Town Council Chambers on Blowing Rock Road.

Chamber of CommerceThe chamber has invited the candidates for the Boone mayoral race – liberal and current Mayor Pro-Tem Rennie Brantz, and his challenger Ryan Hollingsworth, a conservative – and the six candidates for four seats on the Boone Town Council – Loretta Clawson, Jeannine Underdown-Collins, Lynne Mason, Charlotte Mizelle and David Welsh.

As noted in an announcement of the event by the chamber, this forum is not intended to be a debate between candidates or between the audience and the candidates, but rather an opportunity for the citizenry to hear each candidate’s position on topics important to all.

“We are interested in having an educated electorate, so that people can wisely choose their representation by those who best represent their values and their interests,” Boone Area Chamber President Dan Meyer said.

Meyer noted that some of the issues likely to be discussed are economic development, water, education and more.

“Change is inevitable, but progress is optional,” Meyer said. “We want to see progressive, positive change, not just be reacting to something that’s happening to us.”

Meyer is also accepting questions, which can be submitted to dan@boonechamber.com.

The format will be “round-robin” with the same questions asked to all of the candidates. Each will have an opportunity to answer a question first. During the forum, the audience will be allowed to submit written questions, and a moderator will ask all questions. Each response has a one-minute limit and candidates will be allowed a two-minute closing statement.

“This forum is not intended to be a debate between candidates or between the audience and the candidates, but rather an opportunity for the citizenry to hear each candidate’s position on topics important to all.  In order to maintain decorum, political literature and signage will not be allowed in the room,” a release from the chamber reads.

For more information, call the chamber at 828-264-2225.

Below is a Sample Ballot:

WATAUGA-20151103-Style002(Boone)