NORTH SMITHFIELD – Northern Rhode Island News On the Web will host a forum for the candidates running for the North Smithfield Town Council on Wednesday, Oct. 21 starting at 7 p.m.
The forum is set to take place via Zoom, with publisher Sandy Seoane serving as moderator. Residents can watch the event live on the NRI NOW Facebook page.
Viewers can watch anonymously and do not need a Facebook account to see the event. Video of the forum will remain on the page after the event for readers to view or share, through the election scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3.
All ten council candidates have tentatively confirmed participation, and will address residents’ questions and concerns during the event, which is expected to run just over one hour.
The event will be the second of two forums sponsored by the publication, following a lively discussion between town administrator candidates held in August, prior to the September primary.
Readers are invited to submit questions for the town’s ten would-be leaders by emailing [email protected], messaging Seoane via the NRI NOW Facebook page, or by commenting here, or on social media. The deadline to submit questions is Monday, Oct. 19 at 5 p.m.
The questions will be presented in a “yes or no” format, with each candidate given a maximum of one minute each to further explain their answer. If a candidate is mentioned by name by one of their opponents, they will be offered up to 30 seconds for a rebuttal.
Questions chosen will reflect priorities as submitted by the majority of readers, and will not be released to the candidates or the public in advance.
Former Town Administrator Paulette Hamilton has agreed to help with the technical aspects of the event, such as time keeping, and operating the virtual meeting so that residents can watch it live.
The event leads up to a general election on November 3, at which five of the ten candidates will be chosen to serve on the board.
Questions about the virtual event can also be sent to [email protected].
