Three forums provide chances to hear Tennessee legislative candidates

By Randall Higgins

Friday, January 1, 1904

CANDIDATE FORUMS

Today: State legislative candidates6 p.m., Dixon Center on the Lee University campusRepublican primary• 10th Senate District: Todd Gardenhire, Greg Vital• 22nd House District: David Kimbro, Eric Watson (incumbent)• 24th House District: Kevin Brooks (incumbent), Jack EppersonDemocratic primary• 10th Senate District: Quenston Coleman, Andraé McGary, David Testerman• 22nd House District: Jonathan Gladden• 24th House District: No candidateThursday: Bradley County school board and Cleveland City Council6:30 p.m., Dixon CenterNonpartisan electionSchool board• District 1: Ben Atchley Jr., Laura Williams Mountain, Chris Turner• District 3: Melvin "Teddy" Bryson, Nicholas Lillios• District 5: Rodney Dillard, incumbent• District 7: Charlie Rose, incumbentCleveland City Council• At-large: George Poe, incumbent• District 3: Avery Johnson (incumbent), Bill Wheeler• District 5: Dale Hughes (incumbent), Tucker Johnston, Jonathan C. PorterJuly 17: U.S. Congress 3rd and 4th Districts6:30 p.m., in the Johnson Theater on the Cleveland State Community College campusRepublican primary• 3rd District: Chuck Fleischmann (incumbent), Weston Wamp, Scottie Mayfield, Ron Bhalla• 4th District: Scott DesJarlais (incumbent), Shannon KelleyDemocratic primary• 3rd District: Mary Headrick, Bill Taylor• 4th District: Eric StewartIndependent• 3rd District: Matthew DenistonSource: Bradley County sample ballot

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- State legislative candidates get their initial chance to answer questions today in the first of three public forums set for this month.

At 6 p.m. today a forum will take place at the Dixon Center on the Lee University campus. Candidates from the 10th Senate District, the 22nd House District and the 24th House District have been invited.

A second forum, also at the Dixon Center, is set for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and will feature candidates for the Cleveland City Council and the Bradley County School Board.

The third forum is set for July 17 at 6:30 p.m., in the Johnson Theater on the Cleveland State Community College campus. It will feature candidates for Congress from the 3rd and 4th Districts.

Organizers said they expect a presentation on the Bradley County wheel tax referendum at the July 17 forum, as well. If approved, the $35 tax would be assessed whenever a new car is registered in the county.

Questions for the candidates can be emailed to WCLE-FM at mix104.info/contact-us or to any Lions Club or Bar Association member.

The forums continue a 40-year tradition by the Cleveland Lions Club, said club President Buell Connell.

The Cleveland Bar Association joined in the forum presentations four years ago, said Bar Association President Bill Brown.

Connell and Brown said both groups are nonpartisan and their goal is an informed voting public.

Attorney James F. Logan Jr., a former president of both organizations, will serve as moderator.

"Locally, statewide and nationally, there are very difficult issues confronting these governmental bodies," Logan said.

WCLE-FM radio and WTNB-TV Channel 5 will broadcast the forums. Media from Chattanooga and McMinn, Bradley and Monroe counties have been invited.

Contact staff writer Randall Higgins at rhiggins@timesfreepress.com or 423-314-1029.