Monday evening forum at City Hall will feature all seven city
council and mayoral candidates
Morgan Hill – The American Association of University Women and the Morgan Hill Times will hold an election forum Monday for all seven city council and mayoral candidates.
The 7pm event, which is open to the public, is inside City Hall’s council chambers, 17555 Peak Ave. in Morgan Hill. Former Morgan Hill Times staff writer Carol Holzgrafe and former Times columnist Joanne Rife will serve as moderators.
There are two open seats open on the city council in addition to the race for mayor. Al Tervalon, Marby Lee, Chris Borello, Alex Kennett and Morgan Hill City Councilman Greg Sellers, an incumbent, are vying for the four-year council seats. Steve Tate and Dennis Delisle are competing for the two-year mayor’s job.
Following a brief introduction of the candidates, each one will be allowed a two-minute opening statement. The moderators will then ask a series of questions on topics such as downtown development, proposed re-authorization of eminent domain authority for the redevelopment agency, and the city’s lingering budget deficit. All candidates will be asked the same questions and will each have about two minutes to respond.
As is also the practice of League of Women Voters, which typically hosts election forums in communities where its members reside, the local event aims to get women involved in the Democratic process. About 125 Morgan Hill women belong to the AAUW.
Yvonne Duckett, spokeswoman for the group, said the event aims to educate the public by introducing the candidates who are running for office.
“We can’t make change without voting. It’s important every person votes, and makes an informed vote,” Duckett said.
Steve Staloch, publisher of the Morgan Hill Times, said sponsoring the election forum is an important way for the community’s newspaper to support the Democratic process.
“If newspapers are to play a significant role in protecting the public’s interests they have a responsibility to be a conduit for communication in the election process,” Staloch said. “Although the rights of a free press are guaranteed in the constitution, we must be relevant to those we serve and we’re proud to play a part in promoting the public’s right to know.”
ELECTION FORUM
When: Monday, Oct. 16, 7pm
Where: City Hall, 17555 Peak Ave., Morgan Hill
Who’ll Be There: All five city council candidates, and both mayoral candidates, are expected to participate.
The event is open to the public. It is co-sponsored by the American Association of University Women and the Morgan Hill Times.
