OSKALOOSA – The ISU Extension Office was packed as Mahaska County residents filtered in Tuesday night to hear from candidates running in the June primaries.
“We had a packed house and we really hope that people got an opportunity to learn more about their candidates,” said Eduardo Zamarripa, Senior Producer at Communications Research Institute (CRI). “We always strive to make information accessible to everyone and our collaboration on this event with the Oskaloosa Herald and KBOE helped make that possible.”
The evening was split into two sections; the first being reserved for question and answer with the four Mahaska County Sheriff’s candidates, and the second focusing on the four Mahaska County Supervisor candidates who have stepped up to run in the primaries on June 7.
The questions, put together by Communications Research Institute, KBOE and the Oskaloosa Herald, gave candidates the opportunity to speak for one minute following each question. Sheriff’s topics highlighted the differences between each candidate, as Marsha Riordan moderated the segment.
Candidates Trevor Wells, Russ Van Renterghem, Randy Poe, and Doug McMillian took turns providing insight into their professional and personal backgrounds, as topics ranged from the role each would play as the Mahaska County Sheriff, as well as how each one is distinguishable from the others in a crowded field of Republican candidates.
After the Sheriff Q&A was over, there was a brief pause in the action before Supervisor candidates took the stage. Candidates Randy Binns, Mark Groenendyk, Crystal BoenderJimenez and Valinn McReynolds took questions from moderator Michael Collins, as each took a stand on local issues ranging from the Local Option Sales Tax, county roads maintenance, and a number of questions regarding finances.
“I was very proud to have participated in a small way in the forum on Tuesday,” said Herald Publisher Deb Van Engelenhoven. “I learned so much from the candidates. I hope it answered many questions in the minds of the audience.”
This event was held by the Oskaloosa Herald, in partnership with KBOEFM, CRI, and the William Penn Digital Communication Program, in order to better educate potential voters about each candidate running in the primaries on June 7.
“It was great to see the community come out and show that it wants to be informed,” said Zamarripa. “We’re thankful the candidates took the time to participate and answer our questions.”
Couldn’t make it to the event?
Listen to the full audio of the forum On Demand by going to www.kboeradio.com and clicking LISTEN LIVE at the top right corner of the home page. From there, listeners can find the forum archived on 104.9 FM KBOE. To watch the full video recording of the event or for additional coverage, visit CRI Weekly News on Facebook, or visit www.CRItv.org. The forum will also air on MCG Channel 12 this Friday through Sunday (April 22-24) at 7 p.m.
Story provided by the Herald Editor Hailey Brown
