The League of United Latin American Citizens is sponsoring a
candidate forum next week to give candidates a chance to meet the
Latino community and for residents to become better educated on
local politics.
Hollister – The League of United Latin American Citizens is sponsoring a candidate forum next week to give candidates a chance to meet the Latino community and for residents to become better educated on local politics.
The forum will be held Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 7pm at the Veterans Memorial Building Annex and will be moderated by Richard Ybarra, an expert on local politics, according to a LULAC written statement.
LULAC has invited all candidates running for Hollister City Council, District 2 San Benito County Board of Supervisors, Hollister School District and San Benito High School District races, said former LULAC president Mickie Luna.
Any candidate not invited who wishes to attend the forum is welcome, and could be allotted time to speak depending on how many candidates attend, Luna said.
Luna said the group was a little late in organizing the forum, and will be receiving confirmation from all the candidates in the next few days.
“We’ve had very good luck in the past with candidates,” she said.
Candidates will most likely have a couple minutes for opening statements, and a minute or two to respond to questions asked to them by the moderator and the public, Ybarra said.
Organizers will have a better idea of the forum’s structure when they receive confirmation from candidates attending, he said.
While several different local organizations have sponsored candidates’ forums over the past couple weeks, this forum will focus on issues exclusively affecting the Latino community, Luna said.
“If they (candidates) want the Latino vote in San Benito County, then this is the place to be at,” she said. “Maybe the Latino community wants to talk about gangs over a casino. There are so many issues people are asking questions about.”
Issues affecting the Latino community include education, gang suppression, policing and affordable housing, Luna said.
“Candidates running for office will be elected by the people depending on what their answers are,” she said. “Our concerns will be addressed, believe me.”
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
