Owensboro Times and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce are partnering today to give voters a chance to hear directly from candidates for Owensboro City Commission. It’s the first of four election-focused events the Chamber is hosting ahead of the Nov. 3 General Election.
The City Commission Legislative Forum will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. at Owensboro City Hall today, Sept. 29. The event will also be streamed live on the Owensboro Times Facebook page for those unable to attend in person.
Candidates for City Commission will discuss key issues facing Owensboro and their priorities for the city.
The forum is the first of four election-focused events the Chamber has planned through October, with subsequent events featuring candidates for Judge-Executive, County Commission, and state offices before concluding with the annual Red, White and Blue Picnic.
“We are providing multiple options for the public to choose from to educate themselves on who they want to vote for,” Chamber President and CEO Dave Kirk said. “A thriving community is one that is civically active and participates in the voting process. We are grateful to our media partners for working with us to create these opportunities to learn about the candidates.”
Judge-executive forum set for Thursday
Incumbent Daviess County Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen and challenger Rod Kuegel will take the stage Thursday during the Chamber’s October Rooster Booster at the Owensboro Convention Center.
The forum will run from 7:30-8:30 a.m. as part of the monthly breakfast, which is sponsored by Owensboro Community and Technical College.
Castlen and Kuegel will discuss priorities and issues affecting Daviess County. The forum will be moderated by El’Agance Shemwell, morning anchor for Eyewitness News.
“This is one of the largest general election tickets we have had in our county’s history with Judge/Executive right at the top,” Kirk said.
Campaign signage, handouts, literature and other disruptive campaign materials will not be permitted at the event. Personal pins, buttons and campaign-related clothing will be allowed.
The cost to attend is $16 for Chamber members with reservations, $21 for members with no reservations, and $26 for the public. Reservations include breakfast, which will be served buffet style at the beginning of the event.
County, state offices forum Oct. 7
The Chamber will continue its election programming Oct. 7 with the County Commission and State Offices Legislative Forum from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Daviess County Courthouse.
The event, held in partnership with the Messenger-Inquirer, will give voters an opportunity to hear from candidates for Daviess County Commission and state offices about issues affecting Daviess County and the region.
Red, White and Blue Picnic closes series
The Chamber’s election series will conclude Oct. 29 with its annual Red, White and Blue Picnic, sponsored by U.S. Bank.
The event will run from 4-7 p.m. on the Daviess County Courthouse lawn.
Rather than a traditional forum, candidates will deliver stump-style speeches, and attendees will have opportunities to speak with candidates about issues affecting the Greater Owensboro region in a more casual setting.
By Ryan Richardson The Owensboro Times