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Headline Surfer photos by Sera Frederick / A series of public debates in 2009 in New Smyrna Beach, including this one at the Brannon Center, headlined by the race for mayor between then-incumbent Sally Mackay and Adam Barringer, who won the election that year, drew hundreds of citizens. Headline Surfer is the first media outlet in Volusia County to hold public debates this election season, again at the Brannon Center. NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Headline Surfer will hold seven media-style debates on July 21 at the Brannon Center that will include and encourage public participation with the candidates.
The New Smyrna Beach-based 24/7 Internet newspaper has secured the public facility from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Headline Surfer is the only media outlet allowing citizens to ask questions directly of the candidates in what is intended to be a true public forum. This will be the first opportunity for the public to see how candidates respond to the burning issues in their particular race.
The debates will be videotaped and published on the website for even greater public viewing in advance of early voting and the Aug. 14 primary. Headline Surfer held three very successful debates in New Smyrna Beach in 2009, when it was known as NSBNews.net that drew several hundred citizens.
Candidates are being e-mailed particulars on format and time slots. Any candidate who doesn't show up will be represented by a placard with their name on it. This is not a public relations exercise. The candidates will be expected to answer the tough questions that get right to the heart of issues: From government spending to leadership, experience and where they stand on events in the news. Candidates will be pressed for specfic details.
In each debate, the candidates will be allowed a brief opening statement. Then Headline Surfer will ask media-style questions that the voters want answers to. The candidates will then answer to citizens in attendance. Then they will be allowed brief closing arguments defining who they are, why they are running and why they should be elected.
Because of judicial restrictions, the candidates for judgeships will be more of a forum-style presentation.
More details will be released later on specific time slots for each of the following races:
First Debate
New Smyrna Beach City Commission (zone 4) -- Ed Bidault, Jr. Steve Patrick Casserly and Kirk Jones.
Second Debate
Volusia County Council district 3 -- Deb Denys, Jim Hathaway and Justin Kennedy.
Third Debate
Volusia County Chair -- Jason Davis, Ted Doran and Carl Persis.
Fourth Debate
Volusia County Judge, group 8 -- Bryan Feigenbaum and Michael McDermott
Fifth Debate
Volusia County Judge, group 4 -- Steven Burk, Dustin Havens, Alan Holt, Christopher Kelly and Adam Warren.
Sixth Debate
Clerk of the Circuit Court -- Steve deLaroche and Diane Matousek.
Seventh Debate
State Attorney: RJ Larizza and Stasia Warren.
Headline Surfer is making arrangements for a second debate in the Daytona Beach area for county council races in greater Ormond and Daytona as well as campaigns for Daytona Beach mayor and a commission seat.
A third debate will be lined up either in DeLand, DeBary or Deltona for two West Volusia county council seats and for supervisor of elections.
The particular races designated are pertinent first to the August primary. Once the field is pared, Headline Surfer will outline debates in advance of the November elections.