Election Day is little more than a week away here in the Buckeye State. Signs are out in people’s yards and along roadways in full force. The final push has begun to secure those last-minute votes.
With that in mind, the St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce is again sponsoring its near annual Meet the Candidates night.
Running from 5:30 p.m. until 8 at the J.B. Martin Recreation Center behind St. Clairsville High School and adjacent to Red Devil Stadium, there will be plenty of parking and room for citizens to attend. There is no COVID-related attendance limit. All are invited to attend.
“Most of the city and (Richland) candidates have indicated the are attending,” said Wendy Anderson, director of the St. Clairsville chamber.
Nearly all of the ward council member candidates for St. Clairsville City Council will be in attendance, along with the candidates for Richland Township Trustees.
Representatives from Belmont County will be on hand to discuss the additional 0.75 mill levy aimed at supporting Belmont County 911, as well as the renewal levies for both Belmont County Seniors Services and the St. Clairsville Public Library.”
The latter two levies, if approved, will require no additional tax money as the levy amounts are already in place. No additional money is needed, just an approval of the continuation of the current levies.
Anderson also noted that village of Brookside representatives will be in attendance to discuss their levy as this event is open to the county, not just candidates from St. Clairsville.
Format
Each candidate will have two minutes to introduce themselves according to Anderson.
Then, moderator E.J. Schodzinski, marketing director for Crittenton Services, Inc. will ask each candidate a series of questions.
Anderson also noted questions can be submitted by the public on note cards upon entry.
“We’ll have cards where people can fill out questions for the candidates. Also, if we have time, we’ll have the audience participate and ask questions,” Anderson said.
The chamber chose the rec center because it provides ample space inside, as well as parking, for both candidates and citizens wishing to attend.
Chairs will be set up for audience members, and there will be a table up front for the moderator and even organizers, along with a podium for when candidates are speaking.
Anderson is hoping for a sizable turnout, as the last event drew a pretty solid crowd.
“The last one was pretty well attended, but it was the big races, with the commissioners race,” she said. “We probably had around 75 people attend, in addition to the candidates.”
For more information, visit the chamber online.
