Voters invited to ask the candidates

When: 6 p.m. Monday
Where: Clay County Fairgrounds
What: Meet the candidates on the Clay County ballots, question candidates for key races in a public forum
Who: Everyone is invited to attend

By FRANK PHILLIPS
frankphi@hotmail.com
“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government;...” --Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, 1789.

Helping people become well-informed is a goal of the newspaper industry. Newspapermen and women understand the truth of Jefferson’s words.
With that in mind, The Brazil Times, Clay County Farm Bureau and the Clay County Chamber of Commerce are presenting a candidates’ forum at 6 p.m. Monday at the Clay County Fairgrounds on S.R. 59, south of Brazil.
Since this series began five years ago, we have followed a format that has proven popular with candidates and voters.
Candidates in three races have agreed to participate. They are Clay County Sheriff candidates Mike Heaton (R), Rob Gambill (D) and Larry Pierce (I); 44th District State Representative candidates Amos Thomas (R) and Richard Thompson (D); and 46th District State Representative candidates Reid Dallas (R) and Vern Tincher (D).
Program schedule:
6 - 6:50 p.m. — Sheriff’s candidates
6:50-7 p.m. — Break for refreshments
7-7:30 p.m. — Other candidate introductions.
Candidates in races other than those listed above will have two minutes to introduce themselves.
7:30-8:20 p.m. — 44th District State Representative candidates
8:20-8:30 p.m. — Break
8:30-9 p.m. — 46th District State Representative candidates
The format of the question-and-answer sessions will be as follows:
Each candidate will have two minutes to introduce themselves.
Written questions from the audience will be collected and given to the moderator, who will then relay questions to the candidates in the order the moderator chooses.
Each candidate will have two minutes to answer each question.
Every candidate will have the opportunity to answer the same question — questions may not be directed to one candidate.
Note: If questions are lacking, the program may be abbreviated, so candidates are asked to arrive early.
The Brazil Times news reporters will also be present to meet you and report what the candidates have to say in Tuesday’s edition.
We hope everyone will take advantage of this opportunity to meet the candidates face to face, and ask your questions, because you want to be informed.