South Georgia Political Forum to take place on VSU campus

On October 23, the Valdosta Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the Home Builders Association of South Georgia and the Lowndes-Valdosta Chamber of Commerce and several other organizations will host the "South Georgia Political Forum: Local, Legislative and Congressional." Moderated by Scott James of Newstalk 105.9, the forum will provide the public a chance to hear candidates address the issues and to pose questions for them in the political races of interest to this community. The races in question include the non-partisan Superior Court Judge, Southern Judicial Circuit, the Lowndes County Commissioners Districts 2 and 3, the Georgia Senate District 8 and Georgia House District 175, and the United States House Districts 1 and 2. Each candidate will have both opening and closing statements, and answer questions provided by the public. The 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. event will be held in Pound Hall on North Campus of Valdosta State University, courtesy of the VSU Department of Political Sciences. Ample free parking will be available in the student and faculty lots at the Rea and Lillian Steele North Campus.

This forum was initiated by Dr. Jo Ann Hartmann, educator, former political figure and AAUW member. It is dedicated to Virginia Branan, who worked tirelessly with Dr. Hartmann and within AAUW to make this event successful. On June 29 this year, Jill Pope and Bruce Bailey of the Home Builders Association of South Georgia, along with AAUW and many other volunteers, successfully conducted the political forum for the primary election. Dr. Martha Leake, AAUW member and VSU professor, and Jill Pope, Executive Director of HBA of South Georgia, are the main coordinators of this October's event. With the general election only three weeks away, please attend this event, get to know the candidates and what they stand for, and vote! The Secretary of State's Office will exhibit a sample voting machine, and the candidates and political parties will provide various literature.

Sponsors and Co-sponsors for the Oct. 23 Political Forum include: AAUW, American Association of University Women; The Home Builder's Association of South Georgia, Inc; Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce; VSU College Republicans; VSU College Democrats; Lowndes County Democratic Party; Lowndes County Republican Party; the National Association of Social Workers, Georgia Chapter, Valdosta/South Georgia Unit; and the Sigma Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.