Educating the Fort Hays State University community and the city of Hays about candidates and issues is the goal of a public forum for candidates for the Hays City Commission and Hays USD 489 Board of Education on Oct. 13.
The city commission forum will begin at 6 p.m. in Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the FHSU campus. The BOE forum will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. that same evening.
The forums will be broadcast live via Tiger Media Network’s Facebook page, at https://www.facebook.com/tigermedianet. The forums also will be streamed on TMN’s YouTube page, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTIXUNR_XQP7TX183o_vxCw.
“It is important that every student should take the opportunity to visit these forums and hear directly from the candidates on issues that not only involve the community, but affect the lives and college experience of the students as well,” said Kendra Clary, legislative affairs director of the FHSU Student Government Association. “By getting involved with our school board and city commission elections, we have the opportunity to choose the right representation of our own values and needs as a community.”
The city commission forum features four candidates vying for three positions. Samuel Allen, Reese Barrick, Shaun Musil and Sandy Jacobs will appear on the ballot for the Nov. 2 general election. Demetrius Chance will be listed on the ballot as well, but he no longer lives in Hays.
Musil and Jacobs are incumbents. The top two vote-getters will serve a four-year term, while the third-place finisher will serve a two-year term.
The BOE forum will feature candidates Ken Brooks, Casey Herrman, Cathy Hopkins, Thomas Wasinger, Curt Vajnar and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp. Nuchelle Chance also will appear on the ballot but has moved outside the district.
Three candidates will fill seats on the board, as current members Mike Walker, Lance Bickle and Nuchelle Chance are not seeking re-election or not eligible for re-election.
The forums are possible thanks to a collective effort by the FHSU Student Government Association, the American Democracy Project, the Department of Political Science, Tiger Media Network, The Chamber in Hays, Kansas, and the Docking Institute of Public Affairs.
“In order to maintain the quality of life that we all enjoy in Hays and Ellis County, it will be critical for area residents to participate in the election cycle this November,” said Sarah Wasinger, president and CEO of the chamber. “Tackling infrastructure needs and maintaining a quality educational K-12 system in Hays public schools and continuing to build on a solid foundation for our future as a city will take intentional leadership. We encourage the public to attend the election forum for Hays City Commission and USD 489 school board candidates so they can make informed decisions on Nov. 2.”
Candidates at each forum will answers questions from moderators, and viewers will have an opportunity to submit their own questions via social media platforms during the events.
Questions for the candidates can also be submitted prior to the event by emailing them to fhsutmn@gmail.com.
Light snacks and drinks will be provided between forums.