Candidates for Lexington City Council and Lexington City School Board will participate in moderated forums on two consecutive Wednesday evenings this month, hosted by 50 Ways Rockbridge.

 

The first forum, focusing on Lexington City Council candidates, will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Participants will include incumbents Marylin Alexander and Leslie Straughan and newcomers John Driscoll and Madeleine Robinson. Each participant will be given an opportunity to provide an answer to a list of pre-set questions and to offer a short statement of their vision for the City of Lexington in the next four years. Four candidates are running for three open seats.

 

In a similar fashion, the second forum, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, invites the four candidates for Lexington City School Board to answer a slate of questions and to make a personal statement. Four candidates are vying for two open seats on the school board. They are Tammy Dunn, a current member of the school board, and three newcomers, Meghan Ferguson, Katie Masey, and Kasey Potter. This year marks the first time school board members will be elected rather than appointed by the city council.

 

Both forums will take place in the parish hall of Grace Epsicopal Church, 123 W. Washington St. in Lexington. Each will begin at 5:30 pm and last approximately 90 minutes. The public is invited to attend in person, or watch a livestream from home through a link on the 50 Ways Rockbridge website homepage (50waysrockbridge.org). 

 

A recording of each forum will be available for later viewing as well.

 

“Early voting in Virginia this year begins on Sept. 20,” said 50 Ways board member Chris Gavaler. “We’re hoping that by hosting these two events we can offer voters a chance to be informed before they cast their votes.”