LAURINBURG —Laurinburg voters will have a chance to question candidates for mayor and city council during a forum organized by the Laurinburg-Scotland County Area Chamber of Commerce.
The candidates forum will be held Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Scotland County Courthouse. The Junior Service League and Extension & Community Association County Council have partnered with the chamber to host the event.
The invited candidates will include incumbent Laurinburg Mayor Tommy Parker and challenger Dr. Matthew Block. Parker is the owner of Parker Furniture. Block, who was defeated by Parker in the 2011 election, is a cardiologist.
Organizers have also asked incumbent City Councilman Curtis Leak and challenger Darlene Alston to attend. Curtis Leak, a retired teacher, represents District 1 and Alston is a Laurinburg native and a pastor at Restorehouse Ministries.
Other municipal elections for Laurinburg District 1; Wagram; Gibson; and East Laurinburg are not competitive this year and are not included in the forum.
The format will begin with candidates making opening remarks.
Media representatives from The Laurinburg Exchange, WEWO Radio, and WLNC Radio will pose questions to candidates in each race. The audience will also have an opportunity to ask questions.
Candidates will have two minutes to respond per question, according to Janet C. Smith, chamber executive director.
“Helping our citizens to be informed and educated voters is a goal of our Governmental Affairs Committee,” Smith said. “This forum is a great opportunity for community members to hear from the candidates, ask questions, and form an opinion before voting.”
Smith said that personal questions or expression of personal opinion will not be allowed from audience members.
The event will continue until there are no more questions or the moderator closes the session due to time restraints.
The forum is not expected to last longer than 90 minutes.
For information, call the Chamber office at 276-7420.
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