Various groups have scheduled forums and debates for candidates on the Nov. 8 general election ballot, providing opportunities for voters to meet, listen to and possibly question the candidates.
Following are some of the forums over the next few weeks. All events are free, unless otherwise noted. The Bellingham Herald will publish another roundup that includes candidate events between Oct. 13 and the general election:
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 28
Bellingham City Club will hold a forum with the two candidates for Whatcom County executive: Doug Ericksen and Jack Louws. The program, which is open to the public, is scheduled to start at 12:20 p.m. and end at 1:30 p.m. at Northwood Hall, 3240 Northwest Ave.
Lunch will be served starting 11:50 a.m. Cost for members is $11, or $16 for others.
Each candidate will provide a short introduction, and then face questions from the moderator, followed by questions from City Club members in the audience.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 29
The League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County will hold a forum from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Bellingham Municipal Court, 2014, C St., for candidates for Bellingham mayor, City Council and Port of Bellingham commission.
Candidates will quiz each other and respond to audience questions. Moderator will be Annette Holcomb, board director for the league. The forum will be shown later on BTV10.
TUESDAY, OCT. 4
Whatcom County Deputy Sheriff's Guild will hold a forum with candidates for county executive and sheriff starting at 6:30 p.m. in County Council Chambers, 311 Grand Ave. Candidates will give opening statements, then respond to questions from the guild's political action committee, followed by questions from each other and then from the audience.
THURSDAY, OCT. 6
The Coalition of Southside Neighborhoods will hold a forum for Bellingham, Whatcom County and Port of Bellingham candidates from 7 to 9 p.m. at Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave. The coalition is made up of the Fairhaven, Edgemoor, South, South Hill and Happy Valley neighborhoods.
Candidates will be asked the following: What specific strengths they'll bring to the office, how their professional skills and accomplishments make them qualified, and what unique approaches will they bring to solving Bellingham and/or Whatcom County problems. There will be opportunity for candidates to respond to audience questions.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 12
Northwest Business Club will host a debate at the Elks Lodge, 710 Samish Way, with the candidates for county executive and for County Council District 1, Position B (Tony Larson and Pete Kremen). After the debate they will take questions from the audience.
A buffet starts at 11:30 a.m.; the meeting starts at 11:45 a.m. and ends at 1:30 p.m. For people who aren't members of the club, the cost for admission and lunch is $15.
A human services forum sponsored by several groups has invited candidates for County Council, county executive, sheriff, Bellingham City Council and Bellingham mayor.
The forum from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Bellingham Municipal Court, 2014 C St., will focus on issues of hunger, housing, poverty and early childhood education.
Sponsors are Bellingham Food Bank, Interfaith Community Health Center, Opportunity Council, United Way of Whatcom County, Whatcom Anti-Hunger Coalition and the Whatcom Coalition to End Homelessness.
