Politics in the Park

The Muskegon Community College’s Center for Experiential Learning will host “Politics in the Park,” a candidates’ forum in downtown Muskegon’s historic Hackley Park on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The event, which will be held rain or shine, is free and the public is encouraged to attend. Spectators should being their own lawn chairs as no seating will be provided.

The invited candidates are:

• 2nd U.S. Congressional District Candidates: Bill Huizenga and Rob Davidson;
• 34th Senate District Candidates: Jon Bumstead, Max Rieske and Poppy Sias-Hernandez;
• 91st State Legislative District Candidates: Greg VanWoerkom and Tanya Cabala; and
• 92nd State Legislative District Candidates: Terry Sabo and Gail Eichorst

“Utilizing a tried-and-true format which heralds back to the Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858, the moderated forum will focus on a number of topics which a potential leader will face at either the federal or state level,” explained MCC faculty member George Maniates. “Candidates will be presented with a topic and they can inform the public about their stances and concerns which they will face.”

The topics will be generated by the staff of the MCC Center for Experiential Learning and presented to the various candidates a week before the forum. The list of topics will be drawn at the forum by the moderator from a pool of sealed envelopes. Candidates will be timed and will have three minutes to answer each question.

“The voters have clearly made us aware they are not interested in ‘sound bites’ or ‘poll stances’ but in well-thought and substantive policy plans,” continued Maniates. “They want to hear about solutions or efforts which the candidate will take if she or he is elected to office.”

For more information, contact the MCC Center for Experiential Learning at (231) 777- 0380.