The NLCA is hosting a forum for Lakeland candidates next week and has created a list of guidelines and rules for those attending the event. The venue is a small church which accommodates 125 people with 35 seats reserved for NLCA (North Lakeland Community Association) members.
Shaun Cummings with NLCA said the details are outlined on their neighborhood Facebook page but it is closed to most viewers.
The forum is from 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday (10.18.18) and is to be attended by both Mayoral candidates, all Commissioner candidates and two school board candidates, said Mr. Cummings.
There are two other forums this month, both hosted by the LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) PTO. They will be from 6 – 8 p.m. Monday at Lakeland Elementary School and 6 – 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at LMPS, according to Cindy Davis, LMPS PTO president. Mrs. Davis said both PTO forums will be in the school cafeterias with adequate seating capacity. They are for Mayoral and Commissioner candidates and not school board candidates, said Mrs. Davis.
Confirmed to attend the PTO forums are Mayoral Candidate Wyatt Bunker and Commissioner Candidates Jeremy Burnett, Michele Dial and Clark Plunk.
List of three forums
6 – 8 p.m. Monday (10.15.18) – LES Cafeteria – sponsored by LMPS PTO
6 – 8 p.m. Thursday (10.18.18) – New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church – NLCA
6 – 8 p.m. Oct. 22 – LMPS Cafeteria – sponsored by LMPS PTO
Address for the second forum is 6813 Salem Road, said Mr. Cummings. “This IS NOT a debate, the candidates will provide responses to pre-determined topics and maintain mutual respect to focus on providing an informative event.”
He said confirmed attendees are:
Mayoral Candidates Wyatt Bunker and Michael Cunningham; Commissioner Candidates Jeremy Burnett, Clark Plunk, Michael Green, Michele Dial and Richard Gonzales Jr.; and School Board Candidates Zachary Coleman and Kevin Floyd.
“New Salem CP Church accommodates 125 people. We are reserving 35 spaces for our NLCA members leaving seating for 90 visitors. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
“We request everyone to stop by the outside tables and register before entering the church. We expect our visitors to respect our church and maintain a positive, civil attitude during the forum, this is not a debate. The event is being hosted to offer an opportunity to learn about the Lakeland candidates. Rude behavior and disruptions will not be tolerated – PERIOD.”
The moderator is Bill Smith, NLCA President, said Mr. Cummings. “The time keeper is our secretary, Angela Booze. She will use three colored cards to manage response time for the candidate responses: Green – good to go, yellow – 30 seconds left and red – stop.”
Mr. Cummings said the event will be live-streamed by The View 38002. “So, to refrain from interfering in someone’s view, please be courteous, keep your phones on silent and in your pocket.”
Guidelines for candidates at the Oct. 18th forum, provided by Mr. Cummings:
Each candidate will have an allotted amount of time for an opening statement and to discuss their position and goals on the four (4) topics of schools, property taxes, infrastructure and growing revenue.
Candidates will draw numbers to determine speaking order, then the order will be swapped for each topic.
Speaking Time Rules
Mayoral candidates
– Five (5)-minute opening statement
– Five (5)-minute response on ALL four topics
Commissioner candidates
– Three (3 )-minute opening statement
– Commissioners will only select two (2) of the four (4) topics and present a three (3)-minute response on their selections
School Board candidates
– Three (3)-minute opening statement
– Five (5)-minute response on the single school topic
“The plan is to have all candidates introduce themselves and present an opening statement of their plan for our great City and why they should be elected.
“After the opening statements, the candidates will respond to the topics with their position and ideas for each. Bill and Angie will manage the speaker with the proper topic to keep the event rolling along.”
The election to choose a Mayor, two commissioners and three school board members is Nov. 6. Early voting is Oct. 17 – Nov. 1.
Link to Shelby County Election Commission: https://www.shelbyvote.com/
Early voting is allowed at any location within Shelby County. One of the locations is in Lakeland at The Refuge Church, 9817 Huff N Puff Rd.
Link to Lakeland Currents story about candidates: https://lakelandcurrents.com/lakeland-elections-2018/
Flyer for PTO forums:
