Cherokeean Herald to hold forum for Rusk candidates

by Cristin Parker cristin@thecherokeean.com

Ask, and you shall receive.

The Cherokeean Herald staff has organized a public forum featuring the candidates of the city of Rusk’s mayoral and city council seat races.

“We’ve received several requests from our readers, so we’ve decided to host a forum,” Cherokeean Publisher Josie Fox said. “The citizens of Rusk have let us know they have a lot of questions for the candidates seeking these seats, and we want to make sure Rusk voters are able to make educated, informed decisions when they cast their votes.”

The forum will be held from 5:15-6:30 p.m., Monday, April 8, at the Rusk Public Library community room, 207 E. Sixth St., Rusk. The public is welcome to attend, and the forum will be also streamed live on the paper’s Facebook page.

Rusk mayor candidates, incumbent Angela Raiborn, Connie Parsons and Jefferson Jackson; District 1 council seat candidates incumbent Ben Middlebrooks and Trey Todd; and District 2 incumbent Walter Session, District 4 councilman Ken Ferrera and District 5 councilman Jan Pate have all been invited.

The newspaper’s staff has formulated a series of questions to pose to candidates, who will then have two minutes to respond.

Rusk citizens who’d like to submit questions to the candidates may email those to Fox, josie@thecherokeean.com, no later than 3 p.m., Friday, April 5.

“Anyone who submits questions that are used during the forum will remain anonymous,” Cherokeean General Manager Megan Dover said.

Early voting for the Rusk elections will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 22-26; and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., April 29-30, at the Rusk Municipal Courtroom, behind the fire department, 502 S. Main St., Rusk.

General elections for both the city of Rusk and the Rusk school district will be held 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the RISD Administration office, 203 E. Seventh St., Rusk.

Incumbents Jeff Johnson, Tracy Session and Jake Ocker, along with newcomer James Sanchez, are all seeking seats on the Rusk school board.