Residents can meet, question candidates at chamber forum

The Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce will host a candidates forum and barbecue lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. June 7 in the Performance Hall of the Brewery Arts Center.

"It will have a town hall set up," said Ronni Hannaman, Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce executive director. "People will be able to ask the candidates why they are running and why they are the ones who can win the race."

An array of local candidates, including state Assembly District 40 candidates, will participate in the event, which will be co-sponsored by the Northern Nevada Development Authority and Nevada Appeal.

Contested local races will be Carson City Board of Supervisors, wards 1 and 3; justice of the peace, district 1; district attorney; and school trustees, districts 3, 4 and 6.

Though the Appeal plans to hold its own forum after the Aug. 15 primary election and provide its own candidate endorsements, voters need as many chances as possible to learn about those vying to represent them, said John DiMambro, publisher.

"We want to help provide this opportunity for people to meet the candidates," DiMambro said. "And we want to support the chamber."

The moderated chamber event will allow the candidates three to five minutes each to answer prepared questions. Audience members can then provide their own questions to the moderators for presentation to the candidates.

"Questions won't be shown to the candidates beforehand," Hannaman emphasized.

This will allow for more spontaneity and provide the audience glimpses of how much the candidates know about community issues, and how well each responds under pressure, she said.

The forum will be filmed. An edited version is likely to air on community access television, Hannaman said.

It also will provide the community a chance to showcase the BAC performance hall, Hannaman said. The latest phase of the hall's interior upgrade was completed this winter.

Those coming for the forum only should be at the hall by 12:15 p.m. The all-you-can-eat barbecue will be served outside the building.

The chamber plans a similar event after the primary to introduce the state and federal candidates, Hannaman added.

Cost to attend the forum and barbecue is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers; cost to see the forum only is $7. Call 882-1565 for reservations.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.

If you go

What: Carson City Area Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum and barbecue

When: 11:30 a.m., June 7 (arrive at 12:15 p.m. for forum only)

Where: Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall

Cost: $15 for chamber members, $20 for nonmembers, and $7 for attending just the forum.

Reservations required: Call 882-1565