In the community, Local government

Voters get chance to hear Ontario candidates face questions at forum Oct. 19

ONTARIO – A public forum for candidates running for mayor and city council in Ontario is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 19, at Treasure Valley Community College.

The forum, moderated by Enterprise publisher Les Zaitz, begins at 6 p.m. in room 105 of the college’s science building.

The forum is sponsored jointly by the Ontario Area Chamber of Commerce and the Enterprise.

Those scheduled to attend include the three candidates for mayor -– Deborah Folden, incumbent mayor Riley Hill and Eddie Melendrez.

Council candidates slated to be on hand are Penny Bakefelt, Michael Braden, McShane Erlebach, Ken Hart and Susann Mills. Braden, Hart and Mills are incumbents.

The election is Nov. 8. Local ballots will be mailed Oct. 19.

“Voters can set the course of city government in Ontario with their votes. Those votes do matter, so learning about the candidates before deciding is what this forum is all about,” said Zaitz.

The forum will follow a question-and-answer format. Those who can’t attend can watch the forum online at Livinginthenews.com 

“This is the chance for voters to hear the candidates, maybe pose questions, but also to meet them and look them in the eye to take their measure. Local politics doesn’t get any more important than that,” said Zaitz.

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