Newberry candidates face off at Tuesday forum

Citizens of Newberry will have the opportunity for a Question and Answer session with city commission candidates on Tuesday.

The Newberry Jonesville Chamber of Commerce will host the candidate forum at the Newberry City Hall from 7-9:30 p.m.

“We are hosting it to help educate the community on various topics the community leaders will be dealing with when elected,” said Chamber President Blake Fletcher.

All the candidates are expected to attend the event.

“I think as Americans it is our right to be involved in the process, even if we all don’t agree on the results,” Fletcher said. “It is important for the citizens to have the opportunity to engage and interact with the community’s leaders.

The Chamber of Commerce holds the forum each year to keep it unbiased and nonpartisan, said Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Newberry Main Street organization Anne Bello.

“With Newberry’s expected growth and business potential for next year, it should be an exciting forum this year,” Bello said. “The candidates each have platforms they are running from, about where they think Newberry should go from here.”

The forum will not be a debate. Each candidate will have a designated amount of time to speak on the subject of each question.

Questions will range from current city issues, such as parking, to potential growth issues. Residents and members of Newberry’s business community were encouraged to submit questions to the Chamber of Commerce by Wednesday, March 30.

“Not enough people get involved in their local government,” Bello said. “We want to encourage people to come.”

At the forum, the people in attendance will have the opportunity to submit questions as well.

The forum will be televised on Cox channel 97. City Hall will also have a “meet the candidates” session after the commission meeting on Monday, April 11.

“This forum brings up good topics for discussion and shows the candidates how the entire community feels about things going on,” Bello said. “If you have a question or an idea, certainly come out to this forum.”