The Hays USD 489 BOE debate will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, in Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the FHSU campus.
The Hays City Commission debate will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Beach Schmidt.
Students from the Student Government Association, American Democracy Project, the Department of Political Science and Tiger Media Network will team up with the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce and the Docking Institute of Public Affairs to host the debates.
“We are really excited for the opportunity to host this event on campus to get students excited about local politics, and to give our community members a forum to learn more about the candidates running for these offices,” said Kaytee Wisley, legislative affairs director of SGA and organizer of the event.
The two debates will be livestreamed on Tiger Media Network’s cable stations – Eagle Communications Channel 17 and Nex-Tech Channel 102. There also will be a link for online viewing available at tigermedianet.com.
There are four positions open on the Hays USD 489 board for the Nov. 5 general election.
There are nine candidates who have entered the mix for a position on the board: Paul Adams, Jessica Ann Berg Moffitt, Cole Engel, Alex Herman, Lori Ann Hertel, Luke Oborny, Craig Pallister, Allen Park and Tammy Wellbrock.
Adams and Oborny currently serve on the board and are seeking re-election.
Three positions on the Hays City Commission will be open, with five candidates interested in filling the spots. They include Michael Berges, Ron Mellick, Mason Ruder, Ryan Rymer and Henry Schwaller.
Mellick and Schwaller currently serve on the city commission. The top two candidates will serve for four years, while the third-place vote-getter will serve for two years.
“The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to advocate for our community’s advancement,” Sarah Wasinger, president/CEO of the Chamber, said. “Providing a platform for our electorate to become engaged and informed on issues impacting the Hays City Commission and local school boards is crucial for the future of Ellis County. The Hays Chamber is honored to partner with Tiger Media Network, the Docking Institute, Student Government Association, FHSU Department of Political Science and the American Democracy Project to bring this forum to our community.”
Candidates at both debates will answer questions from the moderators. Audience members also will have a chance to ask questions. Questions also can be posed through social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
The events are free and open to the general public.
For more information about the debates, contact Wisley at 785-628-5311 or email [email protected].