John Scarffe, Gilpin County.  A candidate forum for the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners, the County’s governing body, has been scheduled for Saturday, October 1, 2016 from 1 -4 p.m. at the Gilpin Community Center. The participation of all interested parties -- Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, independents -- is encouraged.

Sponsored by the The Mountain-Ear and Weekly Register-Call, the goal of the forum is to ensure that as many Gilpin County residents as possible have a chance to hear from each of the six County Commissioner candidates on critically important topics affecting our community for years to come.

The six candidates who have agreed to attend the forum are Craig Holmes (R), Ron Engels (D), Steve Boulter (I) for District 1 Commissioner; and Gail Watson (D), Rebecca Shirey (R) and Doug Lupo (I) for District 3 Commissioner.

The candidates will state their qualifications, what they see as needed by leadership and how they can provide that, as well as why they should win your vote regardless of political party affiliation.

Community involvement and participation is needed for this public election forum, which is nonpartisan and open to every resident who cares about keeping government accountable through fair elections and choosing a representative for their district who gives everyone a voice.

Forum structure:

•      Each Commissioner candidate will have five minutes of uninterrupted time to introduce themselves and to explain why they should be elected.
•      Moderators will ask each local candidate the same three questions submitted by the community with two to three minutes to respond.
•      Candidates will draw names and be allowed to ask one other candidate a question with two to three minutes to respond.
•      Summary: Each candidate will have five minutes to give their closing speech.

Event details:

Saturday, October 1, 2016

from 1- 4 p.m.

Gilpin County Community Center

250 Norton Drive, Black Hawk

Moderators: Aaron Storms (Weekly Register-Call) and John Scarffe (The Mountain-Ear).