On Election Day, voters will face the challenge of choosing up to nine among as many as 27 candidates running for four-year terms on Cincinnati City Council. A coalition of civic organizations is offering voters a different way to get to know these candidates, complementing more traditional panel presentations by other organizations. They are inviting the public to engage in conversations with some of them at three candidate forums in September and October. At these events, citizens and candidates will meet in facilitated small groups to discuss important issues facing the city. The third forum will add policy experts to the mix.
Participants should come with ideas and questions.
“Conversations with Candidates: Cincinnati City Council Part 1”, will take place Thursday, Sept 14, 2017, 6 – 8:30 pm, at Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency, 1821 Langdon Farm Road in Bond Hill. The evening will consist of two sessions: Groups will first focus on good government – transparency, civility, and citizen engagement. Neighborhoods and housing are the topics of the second session.
Part 2 is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, 9 – 11:30 am, at the American Red Cross Cincinnati Area Chapter building, 2111 Dana Ave. in Evanston. The first session: race, inclusion, and equity. Second session: economic development, jobs, and transportation.
The Rookwood Civic Collaborative, a group of nonpartisan civic groups working together, as well as the Community Action Agency, are sponsoring these two forums.
“Policy Learning with City Council Candidates,” the third forum, will take place Thursday, Oct. 12, 5:30-8:30, at the Niehoff Urban Design Studio, 2728 Short Vine St., in Corryville. Panels with up to four candidates and two policy experts will present ideas about different policy scenarios, followed by a discussion with voters facilitated by a professional moderator. Topics will include race, equity, and inclusion; environment and sustainability; and housing and economic development. The Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council and Interact for Health are sponsoring this event.
These forums are part of a series of forums organized and mutually promoted through collaboration among multiple nonpartisan civic organizations designed to engage and inform Cincinnati residents. For information on additional events, visit www.lwvcincinnati.org or email rookwoodcivic@gmail.com.