'Meet the Candidates' event slated for October 25 at Peabody Public Library
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
The weeks are now winding down and becoming days until the 2010 General Election.
With coverage in the media and numerous public events, the voting public has had opportunities to become familiar with candidates names and faces. On Monday, October 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Whitley County voters will have an opportunity to take the learning process a bit further at a "Meet the Candidates" forum at Peabody Public Library.
Organized by the Fort Wayne Area Association of Realtors, the event is open to all Whitley County residents who'd like to learn more about the candidates in the upcoming election.
Pone Vongphachanh, governmental affairs director with the Fort Wayne Area Association of Realtors, works with governmental entities as part of her role with the organization across a six-county area.
Vongphachanh said that in her role, she works to establish relationships with business, government and industry across northeast Indiana, meeting frequently with elected officials, administrations and their staff, housing departments, community development partnerships, plan commissions, etc. regarding a variety of issues.
In other communities this election cycle, Vongphachanh has helped to coordinate similar candidate forums and hopes Whitley County residents will find it helpful as well.
Vongphachanh said all candidates in contested and uncontested races within Whitley County have been invited to attend and participate. Each candidate in a contested race will have three minutes to speak. Candidates in uncontested races will have two minutes to speak. Before and after the forum, there will be time allotted for individuals to talk candidly with candidates to ask questions or seek additional information.
"As individuals have questions, they'll have an opportunity to talk before and after their speeches," Vongphachanh said. "We would like to see people more involved and at least have their questions answered."
Candidates will not be asked any questions during the forum, nor will there be debating.
"Sometimes hearing people debate isn't always the best way to find out what their frame of mind is," Vongphachanh added. "A social setting to mix and mingle is a good way for voters to get to know who will be representing them."
The weeks are now winding down and becoming days until the 2010 General Election.
With coverage in the media and numerous public events, the voting public has had opportunities to become familiar with candidates names and faces. On Monday, October 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Whitley County voters will have an opportunity to take the learning process a bit further at a "Meet the Candidates" forum at Peabody Public Library.
Organized by the Fort Wayne Area Association of Realtors, the event is open to all Whitley County residents who'd like to learn more about the candidates in the upcoming election.
Pone Vongphachanh, governmental affairs director with the Fort Wayne Area Association of Realtors, works with governmental entities as part of her role with the organization across a six-county area.
Vongphachanh said that in her role, she works to establish relationships with business, government and industry across northeast Indiana, meeting frequently with elected officials, administrations and their staff, housing departments, community development partnerships, plan commissions, etc. regarding a variety of issues.
In other communities this election cycle, Vongphachanh has helped to coordinate similar candidate forums and hopes Whitley County residents will find it helpful as well.
Vongphachanh said all candidates in contested and uncontested races within Whitley County have been invited to attend and participate. Each candidate in a contested race will have three minutes to speak. Candidates in uncontested races will have two minutes to speak. Before and after the forum, there will be time allotted for individuals to talk candidly with candidates to ask questions or seek additional information.
"As individuals have questions, they'll have an opportunity to talk before and after their speeches," Vongphachanh said. "We would like to see people more involved and at least have their questions answered."
Candidates will not be asked any questions during the forum, nor will there be debating.
"Sometimes hearing people debate isn't always the best way to find out what their frame of mind is," Vongphachanh added. "A social setting to mix and mingle is a good way for voters to get to know who will be representing them."