LWV sets judicial candidates debate

From staff reports

The League of Women Voters of Clarion County will host a primary election debate for the office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Clarion County at 7 p.m. on May 7 at the Clarion Main Street Center. The building is handicapped accessible.

All three candidates, Mark Aaron, Sara Seidle-Patton and Erich Spessard have confirmed their participation. The public is invited to participate in this community event.

The debate format will provide the candidates with an opportunity for an opening statement and a closing statement.

Janis Stamm, league member and resident of Forest County, former attorney and faculty member from Edinboro University, will serve as the moderator. The remainder of the time will be devoted to questions and answers.

The first question for the debate will come from the league, with the rest of the questions from the audience. The league’s question was submitted to the candidates in advance.

The questions from the audience will be submitted in writing that night and screened by three people for clarity and to eliminate duplicates.

The screeners are Cass Neely, attorney and league member, Tom McConnell, Clarion County treasurer, and Dr. Jamie Phillips, professor of philosophy at Clarion University.

In addition to the debate, all candidates for other Clarion County offices in the primary who attend will be introduced to the audience at the conclusion of the debate.

For updated information about the debate, visit Facebook.com/LWVClarionCounty.