The Citizens for an Informed Electorate (CIE) To Host Candidate Forums

The Citizens for an Informed Electorate (CIE) will sponsor forums on October 5 & 6, so that the electorate may get to know candidates better who are running for the local offices of State Senator, State Representative, Beltrami County Commissioner, and Bemidji City Offices prior to the November 8 General Election.

The forums will be televised live on First City cable TV Channel 2. All forums will be recorded and later streamed on Northern Community Radio's website (KAXE/KBXE) and rebroadcast on First City TV.

Moderators will be Maggie Montgomery, station manager for Northern Community Radio (KAXE/KBXE) and Michael Naylor, retired Bemidji business owner.

The CIE formed in 2008, seeks to provide an outlet for the public to gain more knowledge about candidates in order to make an informed decision at the polls.

The forums will allow candidates to make opening and closing statements. Moderators will collect written questions on 4 x 6 index cards from the audience, screen them for duplication or pertinence, direct them to candidates, rotating who answers first. Questions should cover the gamut of issues as forums are open to the public.

The CIE represents a cross section of citizens and media members who want to provide opportunities for the public to know the candidates and issues. We include Michael Meuers, Michael Naylor, Dennis Montgomery, Maggie Montgomery, and Rachelle Houle. Please plan on joining us.

Sponsored by Northern Community Radio (KAXE/KBXE) and Michael Naylor.

Citizens for an Informed Electorate General Election Candidate Forum Calendar

October 5 and 6, 2016 - Bemidji City Hall

Date Office Time

State Night

Wed. October 5 Senate District 2 and 2A 6:30 - 7:50 pm

Wed. October 5 Senate District 5 and 5A 8:00 - 9:20 pm*

County/City Night

Thurs. October 6 County Comm. Dist. 2,4,5 6:30 – 7:50 pm

Thurs. October 6 Mayor and Ward 5 Council 8:00 – 9:20 pm *

• Time approximate

RSVPs in the positive:

State: Rod Skoe, Dist. 2, and Jerry Loud Dist. 2A. Tom Saxhaug and Justin Eichorn, Dist. 5, and John Persell and Matt Bliss Dist. 5A

County: Joe Vene and Reed Olson, Dist. 2, Tim Sumner and Vince Gross, Dist. 4, and Jim Lucachick and Ralph Morris, Dist. 5

City: Rita Albrecht and Richard Lehmann, Mayor, and Nancy Erickson and Don Heinonen, Ward 5. (Meehlhause and Johnson are unopposed as are the School Board candidates)

RSVP in the negative: Paul Utke, Dist. 2 and Matthew Grossell Dist. 2A. *

* Note: Those responding will be allowed to participate, see rule #1 below. If somehow Utke and Grossell change their minds we will accommodate them up to the start time.

Forum Rules:

 Any candidate not participating will not preclude any and all others from participating.

 There will be no props, no signs, no t-shirts. Campaign buttons or name tags are allowed as well as campaign brochures which may be handed out or displayed on a table.

 Video cameras are prohibited except by accepted media and CIE taping. CIE retains copyright on it's taping, and although CIE will make available a copy to candidates for their personal use for a nominal fee, the DVD copy may not be edited or used for any campaign purpose.

 Each candidate will have a two-minute opening and closing.

 Each candidate will have one and a half minutes to answer questions. (Timers will be used)

 Order of speaking for the opening and closing will be decided by lot.

 The moderators will alternate who answers question between the candidates so no candidate need always answer first.

 Questions will come from the audience and written on 4 x 6 cards.

 The moderators will screen questions for appropriateness, duplication, diversity, etc.

 During the event what the moderators decide is law.

 All Un-asked questions will be read at the end of the forum, so that candidates will know the mood of the electorate.