Voters to meet hopefuls at forum
By From staff reports
Published in News on October 14, 2012 1:50 AM
Voters who are deciding for whom they will cast their ballot in this year's state elections will have a chance this week to hear what some of those who hope to represent them will do if they are elected to the N.C. General Assembly.
The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce and presenting sponsor, The Goldsboro News-Argus, are sponsoring a candidates' forum this Wednesday at Wayne Community College's Moffatt Auditorium.
Other sponsors of the event, which begins with coffee and doughnuts at 7:30 a.m., are Pate Dawson Co., Franklin Baking Co., Piedmont Natural Gas and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts.
Beginning at 8 a.m., voters will have an opportunity to hear from several of the candidates who are vying for seats in the N.C. House and Senate -- and who hope to be Wayne County's voice in state government.
The event will include short presentations by each candidate on their platforms as well as discussion of their positions regarding several key issues facing not only Wayne County, but the region as well.
Candidates slated to appear include:
* Don Davis -- N.C. Senate, District 5
* Louis Pate -- N.C. Senate, District 7
* Rebecca Judge -- N.C. House, District 4
* Kevin Hayes -- N.C. House, District 4
* James Dixon -- N.C. House, District 4
* James Hardison -- N.C. House, District 10
* John Bell -- N.C. House, District 10
* Larry Bell -- N.C. House, District 21
News-Argus publisher Hal Tanner III, who will be the moderator for the event and who serves as chairman of the chamber's Governmental Affairs Committee, said the forum will give residents a chance to hear for themselves what each candidate could bring to the table if he or she were elected.
He said events like this allow voters access to information they need to make their own decision at the voting booth.
"This is our chance to let those who want to be our leaders at the state level know there are issues that are important to us -- and that we expect them to represent our interests in Raleigh," Tanner said. "This is an important election. Don't miss your chance to hear from the candidates themselves how they plan to serve the people of Wayne County and eastern North Carolina."
The forum is free and open to the public.
Those who wish to attend are asked to RSVP by contacting Lara Landers at the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. Her number is 919-734-2241. Her e-mail address is laral@waynecountychamber.com