Uniontown Ruritan to host U-235 candidates' forum

UNIONTOWN -- A public forum to educate citizens about candidates running for public office and the USD 235 Board of Education is planned for 7 p.m. March 30 at the Uniontown Junior Senior High School commons area, 601 Fifth St.

The Uniontown Ruritan Club is sponsoring the candidates' forum, which will be moderated by area resident Daryl Roller, club secretary Jake Underwood said. Underwood said one of his friends mentioned the idea of conducting a public forum in order to better inform local residents about each candidate running for public office.

"He said, 'Jake, why don't you do something constructive?'" Underwood said. "So, we thought we'd do it."

All candidates seeking election to the USD 235 Board of Education and the Uniontown City Council are invited to attend the forum to speak on important local issues, and answer questions from the public.

Those candidates will receive a letter from the forum's sponsors, which he or she may personally respond to if that person plans to attend, Underwood said. Club sponsors have also been distributing flyers in Uniontown and surrounding towns, including Hiattville, Mapleton and Redfield, to make the public aware of the upcoming forum, he said.

Each candidate will be allowed a one-minute opening statement and a three-minute closing statement, Underwood said.

Underwood, a long-time Uniontown resident who has been involved in community matters for several years, offered one piece of advice for candidates running for seats on the Uniontown City Council.

"If I'm a candidate, and you ask me, I would be in favor of supporting (city) ordinances," he said.

Local residents Rick Allen and Steven Headley will face each other during the April 3 general election. James Bradbury, Donald Dennis, Judy Suzanne Franklin, Iva Jean Isaac, Janice Ramsey, Randy Rathbun, and Michael Vanzant will all battle for spots on the Uniontown City Council.

Rural Fort Scott resident Mark Crystal will face Uniontown resident and former state lawmaker Lynne Oharah for the USD 235 Board of Education position No. 1. Lori Stephens will seek to unseat Jeff Tinsley for the USD 235 Board of Education position No. 2.

Cynthia Schwalm will try to unseat board vice president John Ericson for USD 235 Board of Education position No. 3. Uniontown resident Michael Wilkinson and Mapleton resident Leroy Hall will face off for the at-large position on the USD 235 board.