Group hosts local candidate forum tonight

The League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri will host a local candidate forum from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Career and Technology Center.

"This is a forum, not a debate," said Jonell McNeely, a League board member. "They will also be covering the content of the other things on the ballot, the proposed amendment and statutory propositions."

McNeely said the forum includes candidates for two state representative districts, 158 and 159, and three Cape Girardeau County offices, 1st and 2nd District commissioners and treasurer.

Those attending the forum may submit questions,

"We do monitor them and sometimes combine them or put them in order. They have to be fair," she said. "It's pretty spontaneous."

Among the invitees are candidates for District 158 state representative, Republican Clint Tracy and Libertarian Robert Roland; and District 159 state representative, incumbent Republican Pat Wright and Democrat Bill Burlison. Cape Girardeau County includes candidates for District 1 commissioner, Republican Paul Koeper and Democrat Marvin McMillan; District 2 commissioner, incumbent Republican Jay Purcell and independent Rock Finch; and for treasurer, incumbent Republican Roger Hudson and Democrat Deborah McBride Young.

The candidate for state senate, Linda Sanders and Jason Crowell, will not appear.

The event will be broadcast later on Cape Girardeau's public access TV station, Channel 5.

The League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri has produced a voters guide and will make them available at the forum. The forum is from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Career and Technology Center, 1080 S. Silver Springs Road.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

388-3646