Wednesday, September 10, 2003

Wilmington, NC – The Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) in conjunction with WAAV radio, the Star-News, and UNCW will sponsor two candidate’s forums in preparation for the Oct. 7 City of Wilmington election. All forums begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at Warwick Center Ballroom on the campus of UNCW.

The first forum will be Thursday, Sept. 18, featuring seven candidates for Mayor of the City of Wilmington. The Thursday, Sept. 25 forum will be for the 16 candidates for Wilmington City Council.

Both forums will utilize a panel format featuring the following panelists who will question the candidates: Scott Brooks, WAAV News; Jon Evans, news anchor and managing editor of News Channel 3 – WWAY-TV; Ken Murphy of WECT-TV6; Si Cantwell, columnist for the Star-News; and Jane Kopczynski representing the Council of Neighborhood Associations. Dr. Earl Sheridan, professor of political science at UNCW, will join the panel Sept. 18.

Donn Ansell, prominent talk show host for WAAV, will be the moderator. Welcoming and introductory remarks will be made by UNCW Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo (Sept. 18), and UNCW assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs, Dr. Raymond Burt (Sept. 25).

The public is encouraged to attend and participate. Questions from the floor will be entertained.

The forum will be broadcast live on WAAV, 980 AM, and the Learning Network by UNCW-TV on Time Warner Cable Channel 5 and Charter Cable 12.

The Council of Neighborhood Associations, Inc. is a non-profit, grassroots coalition of neighborhoods dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life in New Hanover County through citizen involvement and participation in local government. CONA is comprised of over 35 homeowner associations and affiliated civic organizations and community activists.

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Additional information can be obtained by contacting Jim Medlin at 910/791-5259. Mr. Medlin is chair of the CONA Forum Committee.