The 2012 candidates forum set for Oct. 25 has gained a little weight.
The forum — sponsored by the Clark County Community Education Program, the Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce and The Winchester Sun — has a few extra additions for those attending at 6:30 p.m. at the Clark County Cooperative Extension Service Office.
The event will kick off with a welcome, followed by the U.S House of Representatives District 6 race at 6:40 p.m. Challenger Andy Barr has agreed to attend while incumbent Ben Chandler will likely send a representative.
The 72nd District State Representative race between incumbent Donna Mayfield and challenger JoEllen Reed will follow at 7 p.m. Mayfield is serving her first term as state representative after defeating Don Pasley in the 2010 election. Reed has served as both a Winchester city commissioner and a Clark County Fiscal Court commissioner.
The second addition to the forum will be third in the lineup. Clark County Attorney Brian Thomas will answer questions about the question appearing on the Nov. 6 ballot for Clark County residents. Voters will be asked to change the county government from a three-commissioner format to a six-magistrate system, which is closer to the previous seven-magistrate system the county used until January 2011.
Thomas will take questions for about 10 minutes, then Winchester City Commission candidates will answer questions beginning at 7:30 p.m. Incumbents Rich Beach, Kenny Book, Shannon Cox and Kitty Strode are scheduled to attend, as is challenger Ralph Harrison.
Candidates for School Board districts 2, 3 and 5 will close the forum beginning at 8 p.m. Dr. Beth Griffith and Steve Graves are looking to fill the seat vacated by B.J. Swope in District 2. The District 3 seat will be contested by incumbent Debbie Fatkin and challenger Michael McGowan. Incumbent Deanna Wolfe and challenger Ashley Ritchie face off for District 5.
Graham Johns will moderate the event while community volunteers will serve as timekeepers and runners. They also will assist with audience questions.
After introductions, each candidates will be given two minutes to make a statement. Each candidate will be alloted one minute to answer each question.
Contact Casey Castle at ccastle@winchestersun.com.
