Voters have the opportunity to meet the candidates running for the Metro Council District 18 seat and hear their ideas on wide-ranging community issues during a Feb. 22 forum.
The meeting, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Belmont United Methodist Church. Megan Barry, an at-large councilwoman who is representing the district until the March 26 special election, and Keith Durbin, former representative for the 18th District, will moderate the discussion.
At this point four candidates have filed to run: John Ray Clemmons, an attorney; Stephanie Dodson, the after-school programs coordinator and summer camp director at Percy Priest Elementary School; David Glasgow, communications director for the Tennessee State Office of the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development; and Kristine LaLonde, a Belmont University professor. They have all confirmed their participation in the forum.
During the forum, candidates can make a two-minute opening statement and three-minute closing statement. In addition, an issues committee, consisting of a cross section of community and business leaders, including representatives of Belmont and Vanderbilt universities, will craft questions for the candidates. The audience is invited to e-mail suggested questions to 18thdistrictforum@vanderbilt.edu.
The forum is sponsored by Belmont Hillsboro Neighbors, Hillsboro West End Neighbors, Hillsboro Village Merchants Association, West End businesses, and Belmont and Vanderbilt Universities. For more information, call 322-8337.
Media contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens, 615-322-NEWS
annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu