Tracy Andrews, President of the Chipley, Florida Kiwanis Club this week announced that the fraternal organization will be holding a series of political debates between candidates vying for six offices in Washington County, Florida on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 and Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at Pattillo’s Restaurant on the campus of Florida Panhandle Technical College.
Scheduled from Noon to 2PM on each of the two dates, the debates will feature an open forum, moderated by Tracy Andrews, allowing aspirants for the offices to answer questions posed by the public and the club membership, and the public is encouraged to submit questions they would like addressed.
Each 2-hour segment will feature three 30-minute forums between candidates in each of the six political races, and due to CDC regulations and Florida State recommendations of social distancing, there will not be a large live audience in attendance.
Although seating is limited and the club intends to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines, news agencies are encouraged to attend.
The forums will be taped and broadcast on social media, as well as made available to news gatherers, broadcast media and print newspapers for re-broadcast, in order for the public to be able to view the proceedings and ‘virtually’ attend the meetings.
Incumbents, or those who have run for office over the last dozen years, will be familiar with the format of these forums.
In the past, these Kiwanis Club Forums have enjoyed one hundred percent participation, but for any race in which one or more candidates choose(s) not to participate, the candidate(s) who do(es) choose to participate will be afforded the opportunity to answer the questions.
Each candidate will be given one minute to introduce themselves at the beginning of their respective session, and then questions will be posed to each candidate in that race, alternating first to answer with each successive question.
Answers to each question will be limited to one minute, and there will be an official timekeeper, representing the Kiwanis Club. At the end of each session, each candidate will be given one minute to wrap up their presentation and express any final thoughts.
These Kiwanis-sponsored debates have been held every two years for the past dozen years in Patillo’s Restaurant on the campus of Florida Panhandle Technical College prior to the Primary and General Elections, and have enjoyed participation by all candidates, along with a wide viewership online, in social media and other news sources.
Tuesday, July 14, 2020 will feature the offices of Supervisor of Elections, featuring Carol Rudd, Chris Hyatt and Corey Odom; Superintendent of Schools, featuring Joe Taylor and Martha Compton; and Washington County Commission District 5, featuring Steve Joyner and Lynn Gothard.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 will feature the offices of Washington County School Board District 2, featuring Lou Cleveland and Jerry Harrell; Washington County Commissioner District 1, featuring Alan Bush and Travis Hall; and Washington County Clerk of Court, featuring Lora Bell and Stephanie Blankenship.
The Kiwanis Club asks that anyone interested in attending the forums arrive prior to the start of the Noon sessions to avoid disruptions. We hope that you can attend and that we will see you at the forums.
For more information or to submit questions for the candidates, please contact Tracy Andrews, President of Chipley Kiwanis Club, at tlandrews1@gmail.com or call 850-326-9359.
