By Kathy L. Collins
Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon will host its 22nd Annual Candidate Forum on Friday, August 5 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Worship Center. The forum is free and open to the public. Bell Shoals Baptist Church is located at 2102 Bell Shoals Rd. in Brandon.
The Candidate Forum is hosted by the Bell Shoals Baptist Church Issues Team, a group of volunteers. Candidates seeking to represent the area are invited to attend. This will include candidates for School Board, County Commission, State House and Senate, U.S. House and Senate candidates as well as any candidates for State Executive office. The forum is open to all candidates regardless of political affiliation or issues they support so long as they meet state qualification standards.
The general public will have an opportunity for face to face meet and greet time with the candidates from 5:30-6:45 p.m. At 7 p.m. all candidates will have approximately three minutes to speak to their plans and give reasons to vote for them.
According to Linda Townsend, a member of the Bell Shoals Church Issues Team and the co-chair of the forum, “This is a great event to attend because you can become acquainted with the candidates who want your vote. You do not have to rely on friends, family or political representatives or pundits for information to make the decision about for whom you will vote. You have a first hand, in person opportunity to respectively ask candidates their opinions and stances on issues that can affect and influence our quality of life in Hillsborough County.”
The forum was started as a way to encourage residents to become better informed on issues and learn more about the individuals who want to represent our area. Townsend said, “Voters need to be informed. We need to know where candidates stand on the issues that affect our liberty and our quality of life.”
In addition to the candidates, employees from the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office will be on hand to give information and answer questions about voter registration. Note that individuals who wish to vote in the Primary in August must be registered by August 1.
For more information, visit www.bellshoals.com.
