NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- All nine candidates for elective office in New Smyrna Beach will participate in this morning's public debates at the Hidden Lakes Golf Club, 35 Fairgreen Ave. There is ample parking and plenty of seating available.
The format is as follows:
9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Zone 2 city commissioner: Palmer Wilson, Stephen Sather and incumbent Jack Grasty.
10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Zone 1 city commissioner: Frank Dalton Jr., Judy Reiker and incumbent Randy Richenberg.
11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mayor: Marilee Walters, Adam Barringer and incumbent Sally Mackay.
Each debate session will consist of three phases: 1) Questions to the candidates from Henry Frederick of NSBNEWS.net, Robert Burns of The Observer and Mark I. Johnson of the Daytona Beach News-Journal. 2) Questions from the audience to the candidates. 3) At least one question by each candidate of each other.
Topics will focus on the city budget and taxes, police fire and other city union contracts, Angler's Club and other city leases, jobs, growth and vision for the city.
The moderator is New Smyrna Beach resident Robert Tolley, who will oversee the debate, but not ask questions of the candidates. Fellow resident Robert Rees will keep track of time. Candidates will have up to three minutes to respond to each question. There are no personal attacks allowed, no cheering or jeering and no campaign signs permitted in the room.
The debates will be videotaped by NSBNEWS.net in their entirety for online viewing. A second debate is planned Sept. 19, at the same location, three days before the Sept. 22 primary.
Both debates are sponsored by the Public Watch Committee and NSBNEWS.net.