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Get acquainted

The primary election is over and the field for Marion City Council has been narrowed down to eight candidates.

That means eight individuals with eight agendas and eight visions for the future of Marion.

What are those visions? Which candidates have the same concerns as you?

Voters will have the opportunity to find that out during a candidate forum. The event will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. March 12 at Marion Senior Center.

All eight candidates will be invited to come get acquainted, express their opinions, and answer questions.

Each candidate will have a limited amount of time to introduce themselves. They will be asked questions and there will be a time limit for them to respond.

At the conclusion of the forum, candidates will have the opportunity to summarize their platform and wrap up their remarks.

This will be a timed event in an orderly, organized format. Candidates won't be allowed to monopolize the conversation.

These candidates already have proven they care about the future of Marion. But they will be on the "hot seat" during the forum. They will be asked to share their plans for running the city, about the proposed school bond issue, and about other ongoing projects that affect the future of Marion.

Voters are on the "hot seat" as well. More than a handful of voters need to show up at the forum to hear from the candidates. They need to listen to the candidates and choose those who will represent their best interests.

Marion residents say they are ready for a change in city government. Candidates have stepped up to the challenge of leading the city into the 21st century.

If voters don't show up at the forum, candidates will end up speaking to a bunch of empty chairs. That would send a message that voters aren't as poised for change as they claim.

In other words, the candidates are ready. Are you?

— DONNA BERNHARDT

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