County organizations set debate dates for local races
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Chesterfield residents will hear local candidates' views on the issues when they meet for debates this fall. On five consecutive Thursday nights starting Oct. 4, the Chesterfield Business Council (CBC) will hold debates for the supervisors and the School Board. The Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce is holding debates for the supervisor races only.

"We feel it's important to educate our membership on where the candidates stand on the issues," said President Lenita Gilreath of the county chamber. Citizens who are not members of the chamber should contact the chamber (748-6364) in advance to reserve space for the luncheon meetings on Sep. 13 or Oct. 10. For the Matoaca supervisor race, the debate will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 17, and no reservations are required.

In recent years, no one has sponsored debates for the general public in Chesterfield races. Some smaller forums were held, but often the candidates knew the questions in advance. Usually incumbents are more reluctant to enter debates, often feeling they are better known than their challengers.

Cliff Bickford, chair of the CBC's Government Relations Committee, said candidates will be given a list of topics in advance to prepare for but not be provided with the questions. The CBC plans on giving unopposed candidates 15 minutes to discuss their views before asking some questions.

Both groups are still working on the format of their debates, but they wanted to release the dates early so the candidates could be available.

The chamber and the CBC may also sponsor a joint debate for candidates of the 11th District State Senate race where Republican Steve Martin is challenged by Independent Roger Habeck. The details including time and place have not been determined.

The CBC is considering partnering with the Richmond Business Council, also part of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, for a debate for the delegate race in the 68th District. That district includes both Chesterfield and the city of Richmond, but the location and date have not been determined.