LEFT - Cristy GarnerBy DON PITTMAN
LEFT - Cristy Garner
Cristy Garner, a senior in the Dade County Junior Chamber of Commerce, will be moderating a debate put on by the group on May 12 at 7 p.m., in the Dade County Commission room. The focus will be on the Sheriff’s race, and the young chamber members came up with the format for the interviews, and the questions they will ask the candidates.
Each participant will be asked the same three questions as the other candidates, plus one individual wild card question each. The wild card questions will be selected for each candidate the night of the debate. Incumbent Patrick Cannon, and challengers Mike Norris, Nathan Baker, and Tim McDonald have all been invited to attend to answer questions.
Garner said the Junior Chamber chose the Sheriff’s race because they felt the County Sheriff strongly influences people their age. She said she has not decided who to vote for yet.
“More people our age know about the Sheriff’s race,” She said. “We felt as first time voters, this might help us make our decision.”
To come up with the questions they would ask, the group brainstormed, but also went to the people of Dade County for advice.
“We went around to businesses and asked if they had any concerns,” Garner explained.
The public is invited to attend the debate, and Garner said that the candidates have been asked to answer questions from the audience after the official question and answer period is over. The event is scheduled to last about an hour, and Garner said she hopes it gives voters a chance to get to know the candidates a little more.
The Dade Sentinel
http://dadesentinel.com/article.php/20080508094531951