Bernards Township Candidates Forum Set For Thursday Night

Students at together with The League of Women Voters of Somerset County, will host a Bernards Township Committee candidates forum at the school's Performing Arts Center from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday night.

The public is encouraged to attend and participate.

The with a member of the league to moderate. A second forum for Board of Education candidates is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 1, also at the PAC at the school at 268 S. Finley Ave.

Participating Bernards Township Committee will include incumbent Republicans Carolyn Gaziano and John Malay and challengers Democrats David Ferdinand and Michael Komondy, who are vying for two seats on five-member Bernards Township Committee. The terms are for three years. League member Terry Thompson of Bernardsville will be the moderator.

Scheduled participants on Nov. 1 include Board of Education candidates incumbents Bev Darvin Cwerner, Robin McKeon, Audrey Cohen Sherwyn and challenger Louis D'Autorio. The four candidates are competing for three, three-year seats on the nine-member board. League member Ann Armstrong of Branchburg will be the moderator.

The format for each forum will consist of opening and closing statements from each candidate and approximately 60 minutes of questions from the audience.  Each candidate will have the opportunity to answer the questions and the opportunity for a rebuttal. No remarks of a personal or abusive nature will be permitted, according to information released by the League of Women Voters.

Following closing statements, the forums are expected to close with informal discussion with the candidates.

Prior to the Board of Education forum, members of the Ridge High School Forensics team will debate “Which Presidential Candidate Will Best Serve The United States of America?” between 6 to 7 p.m.

The League encourages all registered voters to vote in the general election on Tuesday, November 6. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail is Tuesday October 31 or Monday, November 5 if you apply in person.

More voting information is at www.lwvnj.org.

The REPP is a student-run, non-partisan club at Ridge High School that has the support of the school administration.

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan, political organization with the purpose of promoting political responsibility and the informed and active participation in government. For more information about the League of Women Voters of Somerset County, email lwvsomersetcounty@ymail.com.