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CUMBERLAND — Organizers of a candidate forum for Allegany County commissioner hopefuls are trying to spread the word about the planned Aug. 24 event in downtown Cumberland.
Tim Iman said recent political forums for various offices “weren’t very well-attended by the public.”
“Maybe that’s because we, the public, didn’t really know about them beforehand,” said Iman, who unsuccessfully ran for the Allegany County Board of Education in 2008.
Iman and Dan Snyder, program director at Hope Station, have organized what appears to be the first independent candidate forum. The facility at 632 N. Centre St. is large enough to accommodate all 15 candidates and the public, Iman said. It’s scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
There are seven Democrats and eight Republicans running for the three available seats, including incumbents Jim Stakem, Bob Hutcheson and Dale Lewis. Ten of the 15 candidates, Iman said, have committed to attending. Two more have tentatively committed and three others have yet to respond to invitations.
Iman said members of the general public will be encouraged to submit questions for candidates. Those questions will be asked by moderator Mark Fisher, who recently withdrew from the House of Delegates District 1B race.
Attendance at three other forums, Iman said, has been poor. Iman said the locations of the forums — two were sponsored by the Allegany County Conservative Caucus and held at the Republican stronghold bed and breakfast owned by Mary Miltenberger and another by a union group — might also have had an adverse impact on turnout.
John Bambacus, a former state senator and Frostburg mayor, spoke with the Times-News about the importance of public — and independent — candidate forums. Such events promote and encourage frank, open discussion about important issues, said Bambacus, an associate professor emeritus of political science at Frostburg State University.
“I think, in the interest of democracy, they’re very much worthwhile,” Bambacus said. “It’s the people of Allegany County who benefit.”
Those forums sponsored by individuals and special interest groups are valuable as well “if they are open to the public.”
Voters, Bambacus said, “all have a responsibility ... to become as informed as we possibly can. The forums give citizens the chance to watch their various candidates, how they handle themselves in public, how they respond to questions.”
To do well, candidates need to “be good on their feet,” Bambacus said.
Members of the public can benefit by attending, watching and listening. Bambacus said now more than ever, “people are questioning what the role of government is in their lives. Especially at the local level, I think people are really more and more interested in specific responses as opposed to the general responses or, indeed, spin, that quite often takes place.
“People are cautious who they vote for,” Bambacus said.
Those with questions about the Aug. 24 forum should contact Iman at 240-362-7546.
Kevin Spradlin can be reached at kspradlin@times-news.com.
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