Voters and area residents can learn more about Chattanooga’s mayoral candidates through a series of virtual candidate forums, a non-profit coalition announced Tuesday.
Partnering organizations include the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the United Way of Greater Chattanooga. WTCI and WUTC are presenting media partners.
The forums will air Sunday, Feb.
7 from 2-5 p.m. ET on WTCI and will focus on three main topics: the local economy, cradle-to-career education and civic infrastructure. The forums will be taped prior to broadcast and will be held virtually. To ensure sufficient time for a rich and informative discussion, the field will be split by a random drawing into three groups.
“It’s the goal of the Chamber’s public policy work to be a proactive advocate on behalf of business and growth in our region,” said Christy Gillenwater, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce. “This collaboration will allow our members to see and hear from our mayoral candidates on issues important to the business community and the community as a whole.”
Viewers and listeners should expect candid discussions about the community’s challenges and opportunities and the varying visions and ideas each candidate brings. The focus will remain on substantive issues and solutions.
“Chattanooga is fortunate to have a vibrant and diverse field of dedicated community leaders willing to lead our city forward,” said Bob Culkeen, president & CEO of WTCI – PBS. “Broadcasting the Mayoral Forums and creating partnerships with agencies of service to provide a community platform of information is important work”
Ray Bassett, WUTC’s Scenic Roots host, will moderate. Candidates will also take questions submitted by a range of supporting partners and community leaders, including the Chattanooga Interagency Council on Homelessness, Chattanooga 2.0, ArtsBuild, the League of Women Voters and others.
“We look forward to hearing the candidates’ thoughts on these inter-connected issues and are thrilled to include so many voices from various sectors,” said Lesley Scearce, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Chattanooga. “We know solving community challenges requires creative leadership from nonprofits, business, neighborhoods and government.”
All candidates who were duly qualified by the Hamilton County Election Commission were invited to participate in the forums. After broadcast, the forums will be posted online. For more information on the Mayoral Candidate Forums, visit WTCI on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WTCIPBS. Chattanooga’s municipal elections take place Tuesday, March 2.