Overview
The Cary Community Candidate Forum is a Town-sponsored forum for Town Council candidates and county School Board candidates representing Cary in the Oct. 9, 2007 election.
The Town’s goal is to help disseminate relevant information about candidates in a forum that is fair, professional, dignified and respectful. The forum will promote discussion on a wide variety of topics while ensuring candidates equal opportunity and access to the Town's cable channel.
The North Carolina Center for Voter Education (NCCVE) has been selected to manage the forum in 2007.
About the Forum
The forum was taped on Sept. 12, 2007 in Town Council chambers. View candidates' unedited statements and responses to citizens' questions at: http://www.townofcary.org/med/video/video1.htm.
Citizens can also watch the forum on Cary TV, which will begin airing it Sept. 22. See the broadcast schedule
How to Participate
Cary citizens are encouraged to submit candidate questions for the forum beginning July 25. Non-Cary citizens are not eligible to participate. Include your name and address (no anonymous entries will be considered) and send questions by phone, fax, e-mail or postal mail by Aug. 31 to:
ATTN: CARY FORUM
N.C. Center for Voter Education
19 W. Hargett Street, Suite 310
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 839-1200 (phone)
(919) 839-1231 (fax)
caryforum@nccve.org
What NCCVE Will Do
> Serve as the primary forum contact for candidates
> Confirm letters and e-mail
> Receive questions that citizens submit
> Review and select questions to ensure Town's goals for the forum
> Set and implement forum rules
> Host and moderate the forum
> Transmit all questions to the Town for public inspection after the forum
What the Town Will Do
> Handle approved expenses for the forum
> Arrange videotaping and televising
> Publicize the forum
> Provide facilities
> Send invitation letters, mailing
> Maintain a copy of all questions for public inspection after the forum
The Town WILL NOT review questions before the forum. (Also, candidates will not receive questions in advance.)
Benefits of this Forum Method
> Provide a better product and more convenience for viewers
> Lessen the amount of time that candidates and Town staff spend at forums
> Reduce potential bias by outside forum sponsors
> Increase community focus and involvement
> Avoid issue of endorsements
Contact
Damon Circosta
North Carolina Center for Voter Education
(919) 839-1200
circosta@nccve.org
Susan Moran, APR
Public Information Officer
Town of Cary
(919) 460-4951
susan.moran@townofcary.org