Forum: Ask Peña, LeGeyt, Witkos, Seger Your Questions

Tuesday night area voters will have a chance to learn more about local political candidates in a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Canton.

The Candidates Night at Canton High School will feature both the 17th state House and 8th state Senate district candidates.

The 8th District Senate seat is currently held by Canton Republican Kevin Witkos. Canton Democrat Dan Seger is challenging.

Tim LeGeyt of Canton, also a Republican, is the 17th District representative. Democrat David Peña of Avon is challenging for the seat.

Such nights really give voters a chance to hear the candidates answer questions about issues and go well beyond what’s said in political advertisements or messages, said Gina Magennis, co-president of the league.

“It’s really important to bring these forums to the public,” Magennis said.

For the event, audience members will have the chance to submit proposed questions on index cards. Questions should not be personal about a candidate but rather one each can answer, Magennis said. Three league members, a Democrat, Republican and Independent, will decide which questions to present. There may not be time to ask them all, Magennis said.

Meg Gaines, a league member from Simsbury, will moderate the event.

The event will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16 at Canton High School, 76 Simonds Ave., Canton.

Those wishing to submit questions may want to arrive a little early to keep the event on schedule. Magennis said the league does plan to end on time so people can get home to watch the presidential debate.

For those unable to attend, the event will be recorded and broadcast on Nutmeg TV (Comcast Channel 5) at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 and Oct. 30.

The Canton league currently has 44 members. Men and women from the Farmington Valley and of all political persuasions are welcome to join. Find out more at  http://canton.lwvconnecticut.org/index.html