[Green] Candidate Forum Update

[Rebecca Phillips]

Regarding Taylor Sappington: I would let him speak if he shows up. A thought: we could buy him some time if we put all the candidates in alphabetical order regardless of office. He would be last in that case, and Brown and Johnson would still be first. Or would that be confusing?



"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."-- Cicero


________________________________
From: Green <green-bounces at fuusm.org> on behalf of Dawn Hewitt via Green <green at fuusm.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2018 8:47 PM
To: Green Sanctuary List for Environment Issues
Cc: Dawn Hewitt
Subject: [Green] Candidate Forum Update

Hi again, Green friends!

A handful of us have been working on the Candidate Forum, so this is to update everyone on the GSC the latest:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. We might need a volunteer to read Johnson’s statement. To be determined. I’ll nag Conner.

Shawna Roberts will be our first present candidate.

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. ADVICE NEEDED: 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?

Sappington’s opponent, Representative Jay Edwards, did not respond to repeated invitations.

Next comes Dan Milleson, whose opponent, Don Jones, did not respond to repeated invitations.

Finally comes Jim Raney, whose opponent, Kevin Ritter, did not respond to repeat invitations.

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!)

I think that’s all.

Please do your best to attend the event if you possibly can.

Thanks for your help!

—dawn

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