All candidates who filed to run for office in the Beeville City Council and BISD May 9 election have been invited to address the audience. So far City Council Ward 1 incumbent Mike Scotten has accepted the invitation, as have City Council Ward 5 designee Florette E. “Libby” Spires and BISD board of trustee designees Tom Beasley and Velma Elizalde. Only City Council Ward 1 challenger Belinda Granado has said she is “undecided” about whether to participate.
Since Spires, Beasley and Elizalde drew no opponents in their respective City Council and BISD board races, the elections were canceled and the candidates are declared the winners. “However”, Chamber President Pam Stuart said, “the Chamber’s tradition is to include everyone who will potentially hold a public office whether they have an opponent or not. This is a great opportunity for the public to get to know their elected officials.”
In the format, each of the designees in uncontested races will be given three minutes to make a statement. The candidates in City Council Ward 1 race will be asked five questions each. The questions are being drafted by nonpartisan Chamber members. Stuart said, “This is the only time in this election cycle that the candidates will have the opportunity to speak to the voters in the community.”
The Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Council is the organization’s primary voice in advocating for Chamber business members on public issues. The council is responsible for the creation and implementation of the legislative agenda, hosting the Candidates Forums and get out the vote campaigns in election years. The council is primarily responsible for voicing the concerns and position of the business community to local and state elected officials and government agencies. The council also keeps Chamber members apprised of important issues facing the community.
“The Chamber is very excited to be hosting this event,” said Chamber Chairman Jessy Garza, “We have two great candidates for this City Council Ward 1 race and I encourage all voters to take the time to come and listen firsthand to these candidates so as to be informed on the issues.”
“I encourage everyone, but particularly business people, to attend this forum,” said Chamber Chair-Elect Tammy Casciato, “in order to make informed decisions about candidates, you have to know where they stand on issues and this is an opportunity to learn just that.”
Casciato added, “Most importantly, I encourage everyone, who is eligible, to go to the polls in this election on May 9, or vote early beginning April 27 going through May 5.”
For more information contact the Chamber office by phone at 358-3267 or be e-mail at info@beecountychamber.org.
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