AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

The government affairs committee of the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce will team up with Hometown Broadcasting, KQAQ 970 AM Radio to host a pair of informational forums on candidates seeking local and state offices.

The forum for Austin City Council candidates will be held 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 at the Eagles Club in Austin.

Nine candidates are seeking five seats on the Austin City Council, including:

Mayor – Tom Stiehm (incumbent) and Mark Nagle

Council Member-At-Large – Jeff Austin and Janet Anderson

Council Member, First Ward – Brian McAlister (incumbent, unopposed)

Council Member, Second Ward – Scott Pacholl (incumbent) and Steve King

Council Member, Third Ward – Marian Clennon and Tony Bennett

State legislative and Mower County commissioner candidates will be featured at a separate forum, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 at the Eagles Club. Participants include:

First District Commissioner – Tim Gabrielson and Dan Vermilyea

Second District Commissioner – Ray Tucker (incumbent) and Sarah Douty

Legislative District 27A – Incumbent Robbin Brown (DFL-Austin) and challenger Erick Larson (R-Albert Lea)

Legislative District 27B – Incumbent Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin) and challenger Brian Thiel (R-Austin)

Both forums will allow equal time for opening and closing remarks from the candidates as well as questions from the audience.

Questions will be asked through the moderator, KQAQ news director Jim Pilgrim.

The forums are hosted by the Chamber’s government affairs committee and the focus of questions will be on business-related issues.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend. Pre-registration is required.

A soup and sandwich buffet will be served prior to each forum; cost is $12.

For further information or to register, call the Chamber at 437-4561.

LWV forums

The League of Women Voters – Austin Area will hold two forums for candidates.

Austin mayoral candidates will be interviewed 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 and Austin City Council candidates will be interviewed at 7:45 p.m. that night.

Mower County Commissioner District No. 1 candidates will be interviewed 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, and state representative candidates will be interviewed 8 p.m. that night.

The forums will be held in Austin City Council Chambers at the municipal building.