We are just four days into the four month election season as candidate qualifying ended this past Friday. True to our commitment to participate in the process of bringing you a smarter and more engaged election, Heliopolis has teamed up with New Leader’s Council – Louisiana to bring you the first mayoral candidate forum of the year.
The Event
The event will begin with a meet and greet reception at 5:30 pm followed by the forum at 6:00 pm. Seating at the event is extremely limited. Only 100 people can occupy the event space. However, we will be streaming the event on the Heliopolis Page on Facebook and simulcast through Young Pros Entertainment. The stream will begin at 6:00 pm.
Who is Participating?
Participating in the event are, in alphabetical order: Steven Jackson, Adrian Perkins, Lee O. Savage, Ollie S. Tyler, and John-Paul Young. Candidates were invited if they had a public Facebook page or group with over 500 followers. Jim Taliaferro met the requirements and was invited, but will be unable to attend due to a prior commitment.
Candidates Anna Marie Arpino, Tremecius Dixon, Kenneth J. Krefft, and Jeron Rogers did not meet the requirements.
Rules and Notes for the Forum
Time limits on statements, answers, rebuttals, and responses will be strictly enforced. A digital clock will be visible at the front of the stage to help you keep track of time. At the end of the allotted time, candidates will be given a brief grace period to finish their thought, after which, the moderator will insist that we move on.
No participant in the forum (neither candidates nor moderator) shall be allowed to use props or visuals. Space is limited as is time.
The candidates shall not be allowed to interrupt one another. It is the moderators’ responsibility to enforce this rule.
Candidates will NOT be given time to respond directly to another candidate unless it is the candidate’s turn to speak next and the question is still open. If desired, candidates may use their closing remarks time to address any responses they may have to other candidates answers.
Followups. The moderator may elect to immediately follow up a comment or question with another one. This followup may be directed at all candidates or just one.
Forum participants (both candidates and moderator) may refer to limited notes as prompts. Notes should be in front of the speaker. They may be written on letter-sized sheets of paper or index cards.
Candidates must stay on topic. The moderators may interrupt any candidate if they believe the candidate is straying from the subject matter. If a topic is connected, be sure to make that clear and leave time to make the connection with your answer.
Audience. There will be a non-participatory audience during the forum. Audience and candidates may interact on-site before and after the event.