With early voting here, the Smithville Review will present its inaugural candidate forum April 12, open to all candidates and concerned citizens. The event is aimed at educating the voting public before going to the polls.

“It’s an excellent way to get your message across to the voters,” said forum moderator Duane Sherrill of the Review. “It’s an opportunity to connect with the electorate, something candidates shouldn’t miss and a perfect way for the public to learn about the people who are asking for their vote.”

The forum will begin at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 12 at the DeKalb Community Complex and is free to the public. Campaigning is not only permitted but encouraged at the event, although it is asked no signs or banners be affixed to the walls or doors inside the facility.

Sherrill, a veteran debate moderator and political correspondent who began working at the Review about a month ago, will compose the questions that will be asked to the candidates.

“I’m new enough to the community that I don’t have any connections here so I have no rooting interests,” Sherrill said, hoping to relieve concerns “loaded questions” might be aimed at candidates. “The questions the candidates will be asked will be created by me. Any submitted question will be filtered through me and asked only if it is a fair and insightful question. There will be no attack questions or questions aimed to discriminate against any particular candidate.”

The forum will begin with county commissioners promptly at 5:30 p.m. with commission candidates appearing in ascending order from district one up to district seven. Each candidate will be given up to three minutes total for introduction, the time limit to be strictly enforced.

“Since we have a lot of ground to cover, we ask the candidates but prompt in their introduction and answers,” Sherrill requested. “We don’t want to wear out the audience so try not to be long-winded.”

The time frame for the event is uncertain as to when candidates for various offices will get to appear on stage.

“Since we aren’t requiring an RSVP, we don’t know how many candidates will show up,” Sherrill said. “Therefore we don’t know how late we will be going. My best advice, if you don’t want to miss anything, show up at 5:30 p.m.”

There will be a 15-minute break after the commissioners speak. After the break, the forum will resume with candidates for Smithville Alderman, Smithville Mayor, Liberty Alderman, Liberty Mayor, Register of Deeds, County Clerk, Trustee, Road Supervisor, Circuit Court Clerk, County Mayor and Sheriff, in that order. Since the forum is intended for local elections, there will be no state or national candidates include, although they are encouraged to come campaign at the event. The forum extends invitation to all local candidates, including Democrat, Republican and Independent.

In cases where there are multiple questions for a race, they will be pulled randomly from a fish bowl.

“We want to pack the house,” Sherrill said of the first-ever candidate forum. “Come and support your favorite candidates and learn about what is happening in your community.”