Friday, September 16, 2005

Wilmington, NC – The Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) in conjunction with WAAV radio, Star-News, and UNCW will sponsor a candidates forum in preparation for the Oct. 11 City of Wilmington election. The forum will begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at King Hall Auditorium on the campus of UNCW.

The Sept. 26 forum will feature two candidates for mayor and 11 for city council. A run-off forum is scheduled for 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 26 for City of Wilmington candidates as well as mayoral candidates from Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach.

The forum will utilize a panel format featuring the following panelists who will question the candidates: Dr. Stephen Meinhold, associate professor of political science, UNCW; Rhonda Bellamy, WAAV News director; Jon Evans, news anchor and managing editor of News Channel 3 – WWAY-TV; Tricia Vance, deputy editorial page editor, and Si Cantwell, columnist, Star-News; and Jim Hanchett, co-anchor, WECT-TV6.

Donn Ansell, prominent talk show host for WAAV, will be the moderator. Welcoming and introductory remarks Sept. 26 will be made by UNCW Provost Paul Hosier.

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 homeowner and neighborhood associations and affiliated civic organizations and community activists.

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