League hosts public forum with candidates

Brittany Moseley

Kent citizens will have an opportunity to learn about the candidates for the November election tonight. The League of Women Voters of Kent is hosting a public forum with candidates running for city council, mayor and both municipal judgeships.

Christine Bhargava, league board member in charge of voter services, said about two-thirds of the candidates have responded.

Bhargava said each candidate is allowed three minutes to make a statement of candidacy. After that, audience members may submit questions.

Two members of the league will review the questions and then choose the questions that most reflect the community interest, Bhargava said. Questions that target the actions of one individual will be avoided. A member from the league will moderate the event. Bhargava said the league doesn’t plan to give candidates the option of a rebuttal unless it’s needed.

“I’m hoping these candidates aren’t going to be accusing each other of things,” she said.

Municipal judge candidates will go first, followed by those running for mayor and city council. Bhargava expects about 50 people to attend and hopes some of them are students.

“Getting people to come out for these is not really an easy job,” she said. “Getting people interested in politics is not simple.”

CANDIDATE NIGHT

When: 7 p.m. tonight

Where: Stanton Middle School, 1175 Hudson Road

Brittany Moseley