Schuyler County voters can hear from local candidates at a nonpartisan forum Oct. 6 in Watkins Glen, where two county legislative contests involve open seats.
The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce will host the public Meet the Candidates Night from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Watkins Glen Elementary School auditorium at 612 North Decatur Street.
The forum is intended to give residents a chance to hear candidates seeking local office discuss issues affecting Schuyler County. The chamber has taken over organizing the event this year, continuing a longstanding local tradition of public candidate forums.
Kelly Povero, chair of the chamber's board of directors, said local government affects daily life and the event is meant to encourage informed civic participation. Judy Phillips, a former Watkins Glen mayor who has organized and moderated the forum, said the event has for decades helped voters learn where candidates stand on local issues. Phillips said the committee that recently organized it welcomed the chamber's role.
The chairs of both major parties' county committees encouraged voters to attend. Maryann J. Friebis, chairwoman of the Schuyler County Republican Committee, said residents can hear directly from candidates and ask questions.
Michael Lausell, chair of the Schuyler County Democratic Committee, said he has attended the event since his first run for the county legislature in 2013. He said term limits passed by the legislature in 2014 mean both legislative races this year are for open seats, making the chance to see candidates in person especially useful. The chamber release did not list the candidates expected to participate.
Additional event details and registration are available through the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce event page. For information, residents can contact Brittany Thorpe at 607-535-4300 or brittanyT@watkinsglenchamber.com.
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