Deschutes County’s Commission on Children & Families and Children First for Oregon are organizing the election season’s only candidate forum focusing solely on children and family issues. The event to be held on Tuesday, October 5, will allow candidates to discuss their ideals on public safety, health and educational issues as they effect children and families in Deschutes County.

The Children & Families Candidate Forum will be simulcast on COTV Cable Channel 11 and news talk 1110AM KBND. Dave Jones of BendBroadband will moderate the discussions. The forum, held at the Deschutes County Services Center at 1300 NW Wall Street, first floor, will be broadcast live from 12:30 to 1:30pm and will continue off-air until 2:00pm.

The media, Deschutes County citizens, families, social service workers, community members invested in children’s issues and citizen’s who donate resources to projects that serve children and families, are encouraged to attend the forum.

Through the forum, citizens will receive specific information on each candidate’s view of children and family issues. Through the preparation and completion of the forum, candidates will verbally commit to their stance on social service issues. The forum will educate the community on topics that are pertinent to Deschutes County’s most valuable resource, children.

Candidates who have confirmed their forum participation are;

State Representative Gene Whisnant

State Senator Ben Westlund

County Commissioner Mike Daly

Candidate for Deschutes County Commissioner Randy Gordon

Democratic Candidate, District 54 Judy Steigler

Republican Candidate, District 54 Chuck Burley

Libertarian Candidate, District 54 Tristan Reisfar

A sample of questions that may be asked of candidates is;

1. If elected, please describe the role you would take in assisting children and families of Deschutes County.
2. What do you feel is the government’s responsibility in meeting the needs of families who are unable to meet their own needs?

For more information about the Children & Family Candidate’s Forum, please call 322-7461.