Group to host political forums

Residents hoping to make informed choices at the polls Nov. 2 will get a chance to meet the candidates and hear their views on the issues at two Northern Nevada League of Women Voters Candidate Forums next week.

"The league was formed the same year that women got the right to vote. We are non-partisan, and it's important that we keep up the good work, keeping the public informed," said Kelly Clark, who is helping to organize this year's event.

"We have a long-standing history of providing these forums, and we take it very seriously," she said.

The first forum is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center.

Nonpartisan candidates for Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong and Bob Guimont will be up first, followed by candidates for Assembly District 40, Robin Williamson (D) and Pete Livermore (R).

Also participating will be candidates for the Capital Senatorial District, James Settelmeyer (R), Kevin Ranft (D) and Cody Quirk (IAP).

Finally, State Ballot Question No. 1 will be discussed. It states:

Shall the Nevada Constitution be amended to provide for the appointment of Supreme Court justices and District Court judges by the governor for their initial terms from lists of candidates nominated by the Commission on Judicial Selection, with subsequent retention of those justices and judges after independent performance evaluations and voter approval?

The second forum will start at 6 p.m. Friday, also in the Sierra Room of the community center.

Non-partisan candidates for Supervisor Ward 1, Karen Abowd and Rob Joiner will participate, along with Supervisor Ward 3 candidates John McKenna and Day Williams.

School Trustee District 1 candidates Julie Bushner and Ron Swirczek, and School District 6 candidates Randy Carlson and Barbara Myers are also on the program.

A school bond question also be addressed during the forum. The question asks Carson City voters to approve a 10-year rollover bond in this year's election that would improve nearly all school sites, pay for a variety of programs and increase technology.

Clark said each candidate will be given two minutes for an opening statement, after which prepared questions will be presented by the league.

"There will also be an opportunity for public involvement," Clark said.

Members of the public can write out questions they would like answered and present them to the league. The group will select questions to present based on the highest degree of interest.

Access Carson City Channel 226 will broadcast the forum live.

"One of the highest priorities of the league is voter education. We encourage all Carson City residents to come out to these forums to hear candidates speak and issues discussed," Clark said.