Candidate Forums: The Heart of the Rockville City Council Race
The race for Rockville City Council is gaining momentum, with candidate forums being among the most intriguing events. These forums provide an opportunity for each candidate to answer questions on various issues. While sometimes referred to as “debates,” they rarely involve direct exchanges between candidates or in-depth discussions. However, they do provide a platform for comparing candidates and understanding their stances. Their responses may be rough and awkward at times, yet this rawness often provides more insight into their true beliefs and intentions, unlike the polished and often vague statements we typically hear from elected officials in Congress.
The City of Rockville has selected the candidate forums that will be broadcast on Rockville 11 and YouTube, but everyone is welcome to attend in person:
Tuesday, September 26 from 2-3:30 pm at the Thomas Farm Community Center, hosted by the Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce.
Thursday, October 5 from 7-8:30 pm at F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, hosted by Community Reach of Montgomery County with Rainbow Place Shelter.
Thursday, October 12 from noon to 1:30 pm at the Rockville Senior Center, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Montgomery County.
The hosting organization determines the format and questions, and obviously, each has a different interest so the topics will vary among the forums.
Other community organizations and neighborhood associations will host their own forums. Usually everyone is welcome and some will be broadcast, so look for announcements on a candidate’s or organization’s web sites or social media pages.
There are currently two candidates for mayor and nine candidates for council. If you are interested in serving, there is still time to get on the ballot. Petitions need to be signed by as least 100 registered voters who live in Rockville and submitted by this Friday, September 8. More details at Running for Office on the City web site.
Starting today until Election Day, I will close comments on this blog. Unfortunately, elections can bring out the worst in people and the blog comments become a place for slinging mud and venom. Question every fact and assertion from candidates, expect the stealing of yard signs, and know that impersonators will lurk on social media. Yes, in Rockville. Sigh.
This Week Two More Debates and Early Voting
The candidates for Rockville Mayor and Council will square off again this week two more times, giving voters more opportunities to size them up before Early Voting over the weekend. These forums will probably focus on different topics, although there should be some overlap.
Tuesday, October 20 at 7:30 pm at the Senior Center, 1150 Carnation Drive. The College Gardens Civic Association and the Woodley Gardens Civic Association are teaming up to host this debate, which will most likely focus on issues important to residential neighborhoods. The debate will be moderated by Maryland State Senator Cheryl Kagan, who’s been known to add questions of her own.
Thursday, October 22 at 7:00 pm at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Drive (in the Rockville Civic Center adjacent to the Twinbrook/Silver Rock/Burgundy neighborhoods). The League of Women Voters of Montgomery County is hosting this forum, which will most likely focus on issues of city-wide concern. It will also be televised live and rebroadcast on Rockville Channel 11.
This weekend you can cast your votes early on Saturday and Sunday, October 24-25 from 10 am-8 pmat City Hall, 111 Maryland Avenue (downtown near the courthouses). Same-day registration and voting is available to eligible individuals (bring a valid photo ID and proof of residency) at City Hall only on early voting days and Election Day, November 3.
The election is now two weeks away and last week all registered voters should have received a sample ballot in the mail. If you did not receive it, you probably need to register with the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall. For more information, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/election, email election2015@rockvillemd.gov or call 240-314-8286.
Absentee ballot applications, for voters who cannot make it to a location, are available in English or Spanish at City Hall and at www.rockvillemd.gov/election. The last day the city will mail absentee ballots is Monday, October 26. After October 26, absentee ballots must be picked up at the City Clerk’s Office. Ballots must be dropped off or received by mail at the City Clerk’s Office, City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850 no later than 8 pm on Tuesday, November 3. Ballots received after 8 pm on November 3 will not be counted in the election.
Max for Rockville 