Library and League to Host 2019 City Council Candidate Forums

Public Invited to Submit Questions Online by April 8; Attend Forums to Get Answers April 18

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 27, 2019 – Jacksonville Public Library and the League of Women Voters of Jacksonville First Coast will host City Council Candidate Forums April 18, 6:30 – 9 p.m., at three library locations. The public is invited to submit questions and suggest topics at jaxpubliclibrary.org/election2019 by April 8 and to attend a forum April 18 to get answers on issues important to them. Attendees will have a chance to talk with candidates one-on-one at an informal reception from 6:30 – 7 p.m. before the start of the event.

The forums will be moderated by Tim Gibbons, Jacksonville Business Journal Editor in Chief; Charles Griggs, Eighth & Whitner Group President, Jacksonville Free Press Columnist, and WJCT First Coast Connect Panelist; and Jessica Palombo, WJCT News Director. League members will serve as timekeepers and parliamentarians. A panel representing the host organizations will select the final questions for the event. Trustees from the Jacksonville Public Library’s Board of Library Trustees will open each event.

All candidates who advanced to the General Election in runoff races were invited to participate. The forums will give the public a chance to hear the candidates’ stances on issues before early voting, which begins April 29, prior to the May 14 General Election. To vote in the General Election, eligible individuals will need to be registered by April 15. Voter registration forms are available at Jacksonville Public Library locations, or at duvalelections.com, where you can also register online.

              Candidates for District 8 and At-Large Group 1
Highlands Regional Library
1826 Dunn Ave. – 32218
(904) 757-7702
Moderator: Charles Griggs, Eighth & Whitner Group

              Candidates for At-Large Group 3
Southeast Regional Library
10599 Deerwood Park Blvd. – 32256
(904) 996-0325
Moderator: Jessica Palombo, WJCT

Candidates for Districts 10 and 14
Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional Library
6887 103rd St. – 32210
(904) 778-7305
Moderator: Timothy Gibbons, Jacksonville Business Journal

For more than 100 years, the Jacksonville Public Library has been an unbiased, educational resource for information on issues facing our community. The library is interested generally in educational activities in the community and will not participate in any of the substantive issues. To maintain decorum audience members are asked to dress nonpartisan and refrain from applause during the question/answer period.
 
Please note: Only districts with City Council seats, including at-large candidates, facing runoff races in the May 14 General Election will be represented in the forums.

Special Accommodations
Jacksonville Public Library is committed to making its programs and services accessible to all persons. If you need special accommodations, please ask for the Special Needs Library at (904) 630-2665 or email your request to JPLTBSpecialNeeds@coj.net at least 72 hours prior to the event. 

About the Jacksonville Public Library
The mission of the Jacksonville Public Library is to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing people, information and ideas together. Last year, more than 3.1 million visits were made to Jacksonville Public Libraries, items were checked out more than 4.7 million times, and nearly 15,000 programs and services were offered to Duval County residents at the Main Library and 20 branch locations. For more information about the Jacksonville Public Library, call 630-BOOK (2665) or visit jaxpubliclibrary.org.

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