Sam Houston State University students and Huntsville citizens alike are invited to attend the Meet the Candidates Forum tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the Katy and E. Don Walker Education Center.
The event is being sponsored by the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce and the Political Science Junior Fellows.
“The forum is a great opportunity for voters to learn more about the candidates for school board and city council,” Mike Yawn, faculty sponsor for the Junior Fellows, said.
The free event will begin with an informal meet and greet session at 5 p.m. and the forum will begin at 5:30 p.m.
“The forum is a wonderful opportunity for citizens to become more involved in their local government,” Yawn said.
Attendees will be able to ask the candidates questions in the forum. Questions will be written on a piece of paper by those who attend and given to a moderator before being answered by the candidates.
All candidates have been invited to the event, including five city council candidates and five school board candidates, according to Yawn. Election day is May 10.
The four at large council positions are up for election. Dalene Zender is running unopposed for Position 1. Incumbent Melissa Mahaffey is unopposed for Position 2. Charles Forbus is unopposed for Position 3. Currently, Councilman Mickey Evans holds the seat, but is not running for reelection. Ray Martin and Lanny Ray are running for Position 4. Incumbent Zack Choate currently holds this position, but has decided not to run for another term.
For the school board, seats 4 and 5 are up for election. Incumbent Karin Olson-Williams, daughter of SHSU professor Jim Olson, is opposed by Steve Fisher for Position 4. Incumbent Glenn Green is opposed by Pamela Baggett and Ron Keeler for Position 5.
SHSU students are encouraged to attend.
“The campus venue is a great way for students to become knowledgeable about local issues, local candidates, and local government,” Yawn said.