Dates for Candidates' Forums Set

The Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce and the Springfield Chapter of Hadassah have announced the dates for this election year's candidates forums. According to the announcement, on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, residents can meet and speak with the four candidates running for two open seats on Springfield's Township Committee.

The Springfield Patriot Chamber of Commerce Meet Your Local Candidates Evening Forum is scheduled for Oct. 24 at Jonathan Dayton High School Auditorium, 139 Mountain Ave., at 7:30 p.m.   Doors will open at 7:15 p.m.  For further information, contact the Chamber at 973-912-2300.

The Springfield Chapter of Hadassah Meet Your Local Candidates Morning Forum is scheduled for October 25 at the Springfield Public Library at 11 a.m. In consideration of the refreshments offered at the event, non Hadassah members are urged to call 973-376-5067.

The four candidates competing for the seats are Democrats challengers Margaret Bandrowski and David Barnett and incumbent Republicans Jerry Fernandez and Marc Krauss. They are competing for two three-year terms on the Township Committee.

Non-partisan moderators will chair both meetings. While vocal questions will not be permitted, pens and paper will be available for written questions, which must pertain to local (Springfield) matters and addressed to specific candidates. Written questions will be collected by volunteers from both organizations. Questions of a personal nature will not be permitted.  

At the beginning of the program, each candidate will have a three-minute opportunity to introduce himself/herself.  Answers to questions and rebuttals must be limited to one minute and only one member from the opposing party will have the opportunity to rebut. At the conclusion, each candidate will have the opportunity for a two minute closing statement. Representatives from both organizations declared that these meetings are not debates  since candidates do not directly respond to each others' statements and rebuttals.