The public is invited to a City Council candidate forum on Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Fort Zarah Room at the Events Center, 3111 10th Street, Great Bend. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for an informal meet-and-greet, with the moderated forum running from 7 to 8 p.m. and informal conversation with candidates continuing from 8 to 8:30 p.m.
Seven candidates for Great Bend City Council — Deklyn Craven and Gary Parr (Ward 1); Kevyn Soupiset, Russel Snyder, and Judy Duryee (Ward 2); and Cody Haris and Layne Leuenberger (Ward 3) — have been invited to participate. Dr. Marcus Garstecki, President of Barton Community College, will moderate. Each candidate will introduce themselves, answer two questions on issues facing the city, and give a closing statement.
City Council members play a vital role in local governance, setting municipal budgets and tax levies, overseeing infrastructure and public works, and shaping decisions on land use, zoning, and public safety that affect residents every day. The forum gives voters a direct opportunity to hear from candidates before heading to the polls.
The forum is hosted by the League of Women Voters of Great Bend–Barton County, in partnership with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, the City of Great Bend, and the Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau. Eagle Media will livestream the event for residents unable to attend in person.
The event is free and open to the public. More information on the candidates is available at www.vote411.org. The General Election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3.
For more information, contact the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce at marketing@greatbend.org or the League of Women Voters at 620-617-4568.