<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Hi again, Green friends!<div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">A handful of us have been working on the Candidate Forum, so this is to update everyone on the GSC the latest:</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">We’ve figured out the format: All candidates will have 2 minutes for an opening statement; 2 minutes for each of five questions that they have been sent; and two minutes for a closing statement.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Debra Miller has agreed to serve as time-keeper, notifying the candidates that they have 30 seconds to finish, and ringing a bell when they’ve hit the 2-minute mark. Then, Rebecca (moderator) will cut them off.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">We will ask all candidates to sit on stage for the duration of the event, and presentation will be in this order: U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Ohio Statehouse District 94, Ohio Statehouse District 95, and Washington County Commissioner. Within each office, candidates will speak alphabetically by last name.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Sherrod Brown has sent a statement that Jim Grecni has agreed to read. Unfortunately, it does not follow the format, so we’ve decided that he will begin reading as Brown’s opening statement for two minutes; and then continue where he left off as Brown’s closing statement. Brown’s opponent, Jim Renacci, did not respond to repeated invitations, so we presume he is not coming.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">An aide to Representative Bill Johnson, Connor Murphy, planned to come, but he said he can’t. He said he will send a statement. I encouraged him to stick to our format. Haven’t heard back from him. <b class="">We might need a volunteer</b> to read Johnson’s statement. To be determined. I’ll nag Conner.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Shawna Roberts will be our first present candidate. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Taylor Sappington will be running late. I told him he’d risk forfeiting his opportunity if we call his name and he’s not there. I encouraged him to arrive no later than 7:15. <b class="">ADVICE NEEDED</b>: What if he arrives well after his slot? Do we let him speak? Would it show favoritism to him by letting him go out of turn (last)? My feeling is that if Jim Renacci or any other candidate who has not indicated that they’ll be there actually shows up, we should let them participate. Would that show favoritism? My feeling on this is that any candidate who shows up, even late, even unexpectedly, is welcome to talk, but they’ll go after the scheduled candidates. Seem reasonable?</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Sappington’s opponent, Representative Jay Edwards, did not respond to repeated invitations. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Next comes Dan Milleson, whose opponent, Don Jones, did not respond to repeated invitations.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Finally comes Jim Raney, whose opponent, Kevin Ritter, did not respond to repeat invitations. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Then Rebecca will formally close the event. Because of concerns over “empty chair debate” regulations by the Federal Election Committee, we’ve decided not to accept questions from the audience, as it might show favoritism to the candidates present, or something like that. FLMR is nervous about this being a political event, risking their (and our) 501(c)3 status. Thus, we must be as neutral as we can muster through this event, and show no favoritism to or implied endorsement of any candidate or political party. We must maintain this as an educational event. (And boy, am I learning a lot!)</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">I think that’s all. </div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Please do your best to attend the event if you possibly can.</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">Thanks for your help!</div><div class=""><br class=""></div><div class="">—dawn</div><div class=""><br class=""></div></body></html>