Beacon, others to sponsor N.C. governors' candidate forum

Republican and Democratic candidates for governor will square off April 17 at the “2008 North Carolina Governor’s Stand Up and Vote Candidates Forum.”

The forum takes place at the Schwartz Center on the campus of Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington.

The event kicks off at 5 p.m. with a “meet and greet” reception, with the candidate forum beginning at 6 p.m.

Republican candidates have from 6-7:30 p.m. to answer questions, and a second segment for Democratic candidates is slated for 7:30-9 p.m.

The Brunswick Beacon, a media partner for the candidate forum, is seeking questions from readers about what issues affect Brunswick County and its residents. The Beacon will accept questions until noon April 16.

Curtis Wright, radio host for the Big Talker FM and debate panelist, said each of the candidates will be asked a question and given the opportunity to respond.

Each of the other candidates also will have the chance to respond to the original questions “to get some dialogue going,” Wright said.

“We want to be a little bit different, we have a little bit more time,” Wright said.

Wright, and other panelists will pose questions submitted by Beacon readers to the candidates.

Audience members will also have an opportunity during the candidate forum to ask candidates questions.

Debate panelists include: Wright, host of The Morning Beat on The Big Talker FM; Steve Rondinaro, senior anchor for WWAY News Channel 3; Autumn McGimsey, political science professor, Cape Fear Community College; and Greg Arey, political science professor, Cape Fear Community College.

The debate will be broadcast live on The Big Talker FM, and an Asheville radio station will also broadcast the debate to the western part of the state.

The Cape Fear Community College film and video department will film the debate and WWAY TV3 will broadcast the debate several times before the May 6 primary. More than 100 volunteers have been involved with the debate, and Wright says it will be “a real political debate.”

The candidate forum is free and open to the public.

Candidate forum agenda

•“Meet and Greet:” 5:15-5:50 p.m., Schwartz Center Lobby

•Republican candidates segment: 6:03-7:45 p.m.

Candidate opening statements: 2.5 minutes per candidate

Panel questions: 6:08-6:45 p.m.

Candidates’ response (in rotation): 2 minutes

Candidates’ rebuttal: 1.5 minutes

Break: 6:30-6:33 p.m.

•Audience questions: 6:45-7:15 p.m.

Candidates’ response: 2 minutes

Candidates’ rebuttal: 1.5 minutes

•Panel questions: 7:15-7:45 p.m.

Candidates’ response (in rotation): 2 minutes

Candidates’ rebuttal: 1.5 minutes

•Break: 7:30-7:33 p.m.

•Candidates’ closing statements: 2.5 minutes per candidate

Democrat candidates’ forum

•Candidates’ opening statements: 2.5 minutes per candidate

•Panel questions: 8:03-8:30 p.m. (same format as Republican segment)

•Break: 8:30-8:33 p.m.

•Audience questions: 8:33-8:50 p.m. (same format as Republican segment)

•Candidates’ closing statements: 2.5 minutes per candidate

If Democratic candidates Bev Perdue and Richard Moore attend the forum, the format for the Republican segment will be adjusted to 6-7:30 p.m., and the Democratic segment will be expanded to 7:30-9 p.m.