Sylvania to host candidate forum
10/4/2010Candidates for federal, state, and county office have accepted invitations to speak and answer prepared questions during an Election Forum sponsored by the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday evening at the Sylvania Senior Center.
Also scheduled to participate will be representatives of the senior center and the Sylvania Board of Education, which have levy requests on the local Nov. 2 ballot.
Pat Nowak, the chamber's executive director, said U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) and her Republican Party challenger, Rich Iott, have accepted invitations to participate, as have state Rep. Barbara Sears (R., Monclova) and her Democratic Party challenger, Harry Barlos, and Lucas County commissioner candidates Carol Contrada and George Sarantou.
Mrs. Contrada, a Sylvania Township Democrat who leads the township's board of trustees, and Mr. Sarantou, a Republican member of Toledo City Council, are vying for the county commission seat to be vacated by Ben Konop, who is not seeking re-election.
The senior center is seeking a five-year renewal of its 0.32-mill operating levy, while the school board has requested an additional 4.9 mills for its operations. The senior center levy costs the owner of a $100,000 home about $9.80 a year.
The new school tax would boost such a homeowner's annual tax bill by about $150.
The candidates for elected office and agency representatives will field questions selected by the chamber of commerce from ideas submitted to that agency before the event, either in writing or by e-mail.
Written questions may be mailed or delivered to the chamber at 5632 North Main St., Sylvania, OH 43560. Electronic versions should be sent to pnowak@sylvaniachamber.org.
Lourdes College President Robert Helmer will moderate the forum, which is open to all county residents.