Fernley church hosting candidates’ forum Oct. 18

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

Calvary Chapel in Fernley will host its sixth bi-annual “Meet the Candidates Night” on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at its campus at 875 Fremont Lane in Fernley. The event will run from 6:30 p.m. until approximately 9:30 p.m.

Candidates will be provided with table space to meet with voters, followed by a question and answer session.

For those participating in the Q&A portion the format is as follows: an optional short, brief, concise, time-limited opening statement, then responding to questions from a moderator, or an optional, short, brief, concise, time-limited closing statement. All questions will be selected from submitted. ‘Passed’ questions will not be revisited. The number of questions each individual candidate can answer will depend on the brevity of each individual candidate’s responses.

In all races, while candidates are on the podium, the opposing candidate will be excluded from being in the room. Campaign Managers/Staff and family may be in the room; however, they may not meet with the candidate before their individual speaking time.

This is not a face to face debate format; each candidate will have the room to themselves while the other candidate(s) for that position is(are) excused and escorted from the room.

There will be no texting during the opponents speaking time. For absolute fairness, in accordance with the format, this ensures each candidate will hear each question for the first time, giving those in attendance the opportunity to judge each respondents answer equally and fairly.

Despite the location of the event, Calvary Chapel pastor Joe Gale said candidates will not be questioned concerning any matters of personal religious beliefs during the event.

“From inception, while staged in a ‘House of Worship’, this is a purely civic event, not a religious event,” Gale said. “Also, I will strive to ensure the questions are germane to the office which is being sought. If I hear, or hear of, ‘blind-siding’ non-appropriate or germane questioning I will step in.”

Candidates in all races particular to Northern Lyon County have been invited, as well as candidates for statewide races. Candidates invited to participate in the question and answer sessions are those running for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives District 2, Assembly District 38, Fernley City Council Ward 2, North Lyon County Fire Protection District Board and Fernley Swimming Pool District Board.