Candidates Forum Set For Next Week

BERLIN – Following the successful event last week in Snow Hill, Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT), a non-profit environmental education and advocacy organization, will sponsor two more educational forums for candidates in the Worcester County Commission elections this year, one in Berlin next Tuesday prior to the Primary Election, and one prior to the General Election. Citizens of Worcester County are encouraged to attend.

The forums will offer voters in Worcester County the opportunity to hear from all candidates about issues of importance to our natural environment and the quality of life in Worcester County. Topics to be emphasized include, but are not limited to, growth and development, comprehensive planning and zoning, wastewater treatment, open space preservation and improvement to water quality in the Coastal Bays and Pocomoke River watersheds. The forums will also address other issues such as the economy, education, and transparency in local government.

The final forum before the Sept. 14 Primary will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 5:30 p.m. at Berlin Intermediate School.

The forums will be moderated by ACT Board member Jim Rapp. The moderator will present questions on relevant issues that have been developed by ACT, and all candidates will have equal time to respond.

A table with notecards will be placed at the entrance to the venues and members of the public who are citizens of Worcester County will be invited to submit questions for the candidates. Citizens will be asked to provide concise, straightforward questions. ACT staff and Board members will review the questions as the forum proceeds and will select those covering important issues which may not be addressed during the prepared question section of the forum.  

“The purpose of these forums is to educate the public on issues of general concern and interest related to the quality of life and health of the environment in Worcester County,” said ACT President Tom Jones. “We had some lively debate last week in Snow Hill and learned a lot about the candidates’ positions and priorities. The goal is a well-informed electorate. When all voices are heard, our democracy is working at its best.”