SKOWHEGAN — The Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a public forum Wednesday night to hear from candidates running for two open seats on the Skowhegan Board of Selectmen.
The forum is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Coburn Park at 419 Water St.
Chamber Executive Director Jason Gayne said the organization has a large public address system for the outdoor event. In case of bad weather, the forum will be moved to the Skowhegan Renaissance Center, upstairs, at 60 Water St., downtown.
Incumbent Selectmen Soren Siren and Darla Pickett, the vice-chairwoman, have declined to seek re-election.
There are seven candidates for the two open seats. They are Steven Conley, John Grohs, David Hayward Jr., Paul Natale, Roger Staples, Darryll White and Vanessa York.
Gayne said the Chamber will be taking questions from the public in advance of the forum via email at admin@skowheganareachamber.com. Questions must be submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday.
He said the Chamber holds events throughout the year that give the community the opportunity to speak with local and national elected officials about issues that are important to them.
“This is another way that the public can have the opportunity to learn more about each candidate and to better understand their position on important topics that impact our residents and businesses in the town of Skowhegan,” Gayne said. “We sponsor candidate forums because we believe people have a right to know what their candidates for public office say about issues that affect our communities. We provide the forums as a public service, and we are privileged and proud to play a role in the democratic process.”
Gayne said the Chamber does not endorse candidates, but will take positions on broad policy issues.
“We all benefit from an open exchange of information and ideas,” he said. “This is home; our members and community want to know who their elected officials are and where they stand on issues that affect us all.”
The forum will be recorded by Somerset Community TV 11 for broadcast at a later date.
Doug Harlow — 612-2367
Twitter:@Doug_Harlow
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