Wednesday: Candidate forum meets speed dating
This sounds like a good idea: Combine the fun concept of speed-dating, in which single people meet in short but personal encounters, and the often dry (but important) candidate forum.
The Bradley-Bourbonnais Regional Chamber of Commerce has decided to give it a try with Candidate Speed Meeting Night, which will be held Wednesday.
If any of you go, let us know what you though by leaving a comment below.
Here’s the press release:
People get the government they deserve. They don’t vote or they don’t bother to learn about the candidates. The whole system bores them. Now, there is a new way to meet the candidates that certainly won’t be boring and will help everyone make better decisions.
Candidate Speed Meeting Night on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008 from 5 to 7 p.m. will allow voters to sit down and meet with each of the candidates on a personal, face-to-face way. They can ask each candidate questions or speak to them about issues.
In addition, anyone who is not registered to vote can do so at this meeting. All that is needed is that the person be 18 on or before the Nov. 4 election date and bring his or her photo identification card. Registration and the event are free.
The evening is sponsored by the Bradley-Bourbonnais Regional Chamber of Commerce and the BBRCC governmental affairs committee. It will be held at the chamber offices at 1690 Newtowne Dr., just off Larry Power Rd. and the first road east of Northfield Square Mall.
The set up of the evening is far different than the usual candidates’ forums or debates where the candidates are lined up in front of the room and are asked questions by people from the media or other organizations.
In this situation, a voter will go directly to the candidate to whom he or she wishes to speak and sit with him or her for a period of time. When the time is up, the voters can move around the room to the next candidate of their choice.
The large Bradley annex room behind the chamber office will be set up with small groups of chairs. Each candidate participating will sit in one chair while the other two or three are filled with voters. The talking will continue for about five minutes, at which time, voters will be able to move on to another candidate. If time and space is available, a voter may return to a candidate for more discussion.
The candidates who will be at the event include incumbent District 79 state representative Lisa Dugan, D-Bradley, incumbent District 75 state representative Careen Gordon, D-Morris and republican challenger David McAloon. On the Kankakee County level, recorder of deeds candidate Democrat Lori Gadbois and her Republican opponent, Kankakee County board member Kelly McLaren will be present. Incumbent Kankakee County auditor Democrat Deborah Woodruff and her challenger Republican Aimee Jones-Luedtke will be there.
The incumbent state’s attorney, Republican Jamie Boyd and his Democratic opponent J. Imani Drew will also be there.
Judge Adrienne Albrecht, a Democrat and Republican candidate Chris Bohlen will be there to discuss the race for the circuit court.
Refreshments will be served.For more information, contact the BBRCC at 1-815-932-2222 or go to the website at www.bbchamber.com.
