Visalia Chamber, Sun-Gazette, League of Women Voters host Visalia candidates’ forum
VISALIA – Beyond campaign signs and slogans, what makes a candidate the best choice for the job? An upcoming candidate’s forum is the best way to find out.
The Visalia Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with The Sun-Gazette newspaper and the League of Women Voters, is giving Visalia voters a chance to hear from the candidates running for the Visalia City Council and the Visalia Unified School District board of trustees tomorrow, Oct. 18 at 210 Café, located at 210 E. Center St. in Visalia. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a meet and greet. From 6-7 p.m., voters will hear from three candidates vying for the District 3 seat on the City Council. There is no incumbent in the race as Mayor Warren Gubler is not seeking re-election, leaving the job to logistics manager Brian Poochigian, instructional technology specialist Steve Woods, or community advocate Merritt Wiseman.
From 7:30-8:30 p.m. voters will hear from candidates for Visalia Unified School District board of trustees. There are nine candidates running for four seats on the school board: Area 1, retired teacher Walta Gamoian and deputy district attorney Mike Moberly; Area 3, incumbent Jim Qualls and retired educator Joy Naylor; Area 4, incumbent John Crabtree and retail manager Mario Torres; Area 5, attorney Megan Casebeer-Soleno, life coach Lori Quinzon, and postal carrier Niessen Foster.
The candidates will each have time for an opening statement about themselves before answering questions proposed by the moderator. After a set list of questions, the moderator will begin posing questions provided by those in audience followed by closing statements.
There will also be a table in the lobby with information about Measure A, a $105 million school bond that will provide funds to alleviate overcrowding at the high schools, modernize 18 schools, and even provide the community with another competition swimming pool.
For more information on the candidates’ forum, call the Visalia Chamber of Commerce at 559-734-5876 or The Sun-Gazette at 559-592-3171.
