The Collegian will partner with local radio station WCSR to host a political forum for the Hillsdale city government candidates at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Phillips Auditorium at Hillsdale College.
At the forum, six candidates running for the offices of mayor, city ward, and clerk will be given a turn to speak about why they seek their respective office before moderators from The Collegian and WCSR present them with questions. WCSR will broadcast the forum live and will also be live-streaming online.
Both mayoral candidates, Brian Watkins and Scott Sessions, will be present, as well as council candidates Patrick Flannery, Adam Stockford, and Emily Davis, and city clerk candidate Amy England. Flannery’s opponent for ward IV, William Arnold, and clerk candidate, Robilyn Swisher, are unable to attend due to prior commitments. The opposing candidates for wards I and II, Laura Smith and Jacob Nieuwsma, have both dropped out of the race, although their names will still appear on the voting ballot. Both chose to endorse their opponent instead.
Although candidates running for mayor and council will be allowed to rebut their opponents over some controversial questions, Bob Flynn, afternoon host of WCSR, emphasied that the event is not a debate.
There will not be an open mic for questions, although attendees are free to speak to candidates after the event to ask more questions.
“The main question is going to be ‘are you for or against the city income tax?’ That’s going to be the elephant in the room that everyone wants answered,” Flynn said. “I’d like to get as many questions from the public ahead of time as possible as well.”
The forum is scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m., although the length could vary depending on the number of questions asked.
“We hope that many students and community members attend the forum and submit questions,” said Taylor Knopf, city news editor of The Collegian. “This is a great opportunity for candidates to share their platforms with the public.”
Watkins said that he believes the forum is a crucial step toward better informing Hillsdale’s residents.
“Something that’s always been an issue for me is that you really never know who you’re voting for half the time on the local stuff,” Watkins said. “You might know who they are, but not what they’re about.”
Sessions added a similar sentiment.
“I think it is a good idea for everyone interested in the current election to hear the candidates views regarding the issues facing them,” he said. “It allows the voters an opportunity to make an informed decision about a candidate.”
Flynn said the forum bears historic significance since it’s the first local election for Hillsdale in a long time to have so many elected positions contested.
The forum also marks the first time The Collegian and WCSR have worked together.
“We are happy to be participate in putting on this forum for the candidates,” Knopf said. “It is great journalism practice for us as well.”
Prior to the event, the public can email questions for the candidates that may be asked during the forum. There will also be an opportunity to write questions to the candidates outside the auditorium. Please email your questions to Hdalecollegian@gmail.com. To hear the live event, tune into WCSR at 92.1 FM or 1340 AM.
