Candidates to speak June 27 at Grange

Candidates for local and regional elected offices will appear at a candidate forum June 27 at the Skamokawa Grange.

"It will be an old fashioned forum starting with a potluck dinner at 5 p.m. followed by the forum at 6 p.m.," said coordinator Deborah Lincoln. "Mariane Brightbill will be the master of ceremonies.

"The potluck will be a relaxed; bring what you want and can, and just enjoy eating with other community members. Hot dogs will be available, and food in crockpots can be plugged in.

"The forum will provide information in a nonpartisan, impartial, educational environment. It is an all-American forum with members of all parties getting together to view local elections. John Kennedy once wrote, ‘Let us not seek the Republican or the Democratic answer, but the right answer.’”

Lincoln said that as of Tuesday 16 of 18 candidates had commited to attend. They include (current office holders listed first):

Legislature, District 19--Position 1, Jim Walsh R and Erin Fraser D; Position 2, Brian Blake D, Joel McEntire R and David Parsons R.

Wahkiakum County-- Assessor, Bill Coons I and Brian McClain I; auditor, Nicci Bergseng I and Matt Kuhl I; prosecuting attorney, Dan Bigelow D and Stewart Feil I; sheriff, Mark Howie I and Graham Phalen R; clerk, Kay Holland D; commissioner, District 3, Blair Brady D; district court judge, Heidi Heywood NP; and treasurer, Tammy Peterson D.

Wahkiakum PUD, commissioner district 2, Robert Jungers NP.

Each candidate will have two minutes for an opening statement followed by written questions submitted by the audience.