Updated Sept. 17, 11:45 p.m.–
Local city council candidates are scheduled to take part in an election forum at city hall on Sept. 19, hosted by the Residents’ Empowerment Association of Citrus Heights (REACH).
As of Friday, all eight council candidates have confirmed their plans to participate in the forum, which will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. in the council chambers of the new city hall.
REACH President Margaret Cleek said candidates will be asked a set of prepared questions and will have a specific time frame to answer. She said the forum will not feature an open-question, town hall-style format, and will be moderated by Matt Lesenyie, who teaches American Government, interest groups, and race politics at UC Davis.
The eight candidates running this year are: former councilman Bret Daniels, current Vice Mayor Jeff Slowey, Construction Board of Appeals member Amor Taylor, Planning Commissioner Rick Doyle, financial tech director Marcel Weiland, businessman Tim Schaefer, project manager Porsche Middleton, and restaurant manager Michael Nishimura.
>>Learn more about the candidates: “Meet the 8 candidates running for Citrus Heights city council”
According to a bio of the forum’s moderator provided to The Sentinel by forum organizers, Lesenyie has conducted award-winning research and studies related to campaign finance, voters, and political advertising. He is also currently a Ph.D. candidate in political science at UC Davis, and has previously worked for high-ranking officials in the state capitol as well as the Nielsen Merksamer law firm, which specializes in advocacy and lobbying. In 2013, he won an award “for work showing that elected appellate judges change their behavior in their re-election year.”
[Learn more about REACH: Neighborhood groups REACH out to connect Citrus Heights residents]
On Oct. 6, a separate city council candidate forum has been planned by the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee. That event is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. in the San Juan High School auditorium. (See flier) The League of Women Voters also typically hosts a city council candidate forum, but a date and time have not been publicized by the League as of Sept. 15.
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If you plan to go:
City council candidate forum
Monday, Sept. 19, 2016
7 to 9 p.m.
Council chambers, city hall
6360 Fountain Square Dr.
Citrus Heights, CA
