Staff Writer

The Winnsboro Woman's Club has again this year invited candidates in local races to participate in a candidate forum.

During the forum the public will be given the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates.

Two forums will be held, one for county council candidates and one for school board candidates.

The date for the county council forum will be Thursday October 23.

The school board forum will be on Thursday October 16.

Both forums will be held at the Winnsboro Woman's Club building located at 102 South Vanderhorst Street, Winnsboro.

The doors will open at 6:00 pm and they will begin at 7:00 pm until no later than 9:00 pm.

This non-debate format will include a short self-introduction by each candidate, responses to questions provide in advance, and questions from the moderator and/or audience.

Susan Yenner will serve as moderator. Questions from the audience are to be submitted in writing, collected and passed to her.

Questions may be directed to specific candidates or general questions which everyone will have an opportunity to answer. If questions are directed to a specific candidate, the opponent may be given an opportunity to respond, if appropriate.

Sample questions were given to the candidates in advance so that they could prepare a response before the forum.

The questions for the County Council candidates include:

Why do you believe that you are more qualified to hold the position than your opponent?

What do you see as the two most important issues affecting the county today?

For Incumbents- What do you believe is the most important single thing which you have accomplished during your time in this position? Why is it the most important?

For Challengers- What do you believe is the most important single thing your opponent has failed to accomplish? How would you accomplish this?

What long range goals do you believe the county should work towards? How do you think these can be accomplished?

Given the state of the economy, do you have any ideas how to increase economic development in the county?

What ideas do you have to reduce property taxes in the county.

The School board candidates were also send questions. Their questions were similar to the County Council candidates questions with these additions:

What do you see as the two most important issues affecting the schools today?

If elected, what actions do you plan to take to resolve or effect those issues?

How will your qualifications aid you in making the changes you mentioned?

What long range goals do you believe the school system should work towards?

How do you think these can be accomplished?

The current school budget is in excess of $30 million, do you believe that every dollar is being well spent on the students or on the efficient effort to educated our children?