County commission candidates at UCC, 6 pm, Thursday, May 1
Political debate for all voters, on all issues; last appearance before Primary ballots mailed
News Release 07-138-D For more information: Release date: 04/24/08 Bentley Gilbert For immediate release (541) 440-7747 http://www.umpqua.edu/
In their last major debate before the Oregon Primary Election ballots are mailed, the candidates for the two seats on the Douglas County Commission up for a vote this year will debate at 6 pm, on Thursday, May 1, at Umpqua Community College.
The hour-and-a-half debate will be in the CenterStage Theatre of the Whipple Fine Arts Building on the UCC campus, 1140 Umpqua College Road. All seven candidates have been invited, and six have indicated they will attend.
This is a debate open to all voters in Douglas County and will cover all issues relevant to the county. Despite the location, for example, the debate will not be limited to education issues.
“This May 1 date was chosen so we could be sure to have one last debate on all county issues before voters start receiving their ballots,” said Bentley Gilbert, UCC community relations director who is advising the students organizing the debate. The county elections clerk will begin mailing out the ballots the next day, Friday, May 2. Oregon’s Primary Election this year, and the date by which marked ballot must be returned, is Tuesday, May 20.
“We want the College to be a venue for a wide range of issues important to the residents Douglas County,” Gilbert said. “The races for these two positions are important because they are each highly contested and the vote comes at a time when there are many important matters needing decision and leadership.”
Each candidate will have an opportunity to make a four-minute opening statement. Following that, each candidate will have the chance to respond to three questions written by UCC students and to questions posed by those in the audience. Finally, each candidate will make a two-minute closing remarks. The candidates have also been encouraged to greet voters as they enter and leave the auditorium and to have campaign literature on hand.
-30- For more information, please contact Bentley Gilbert, UCC community relations director, at 541.440.7747 or bentley.gilbert@umpqua.edu.
Umpqua Community College is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
Umpqua Community College, PO Box 967, Roseburg Oregon 97470 Phone: (541)440-4600.