Candidates, voters will have chance to mingle at meet and greet Tuesday

Posted May 9, 2018 at 9:06 am

As the May Primary draws near, candidates are working overtime to get their names out to the people in Albany and Clinton County.

On Tuesday, May 1, 2018, the Albany/Clinton County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring an event in order to help this endeavor along.

From 5-7 p.m. Tuesday night, candidates will be available around the Clinton County Courthouse in what is known around here as a “trunk-or-treat” style gathering.

Candidates can pull their vehicles into the parking spaces around the square and greet voters and fellow candidates before the May Primary.

According to Albany/Clinton County Chamber of Commerce Secretary April Speck, candidates need to decorate the tail beds of their trucks or trunks of their cars.

“All candidates will need campaign literature such as cards on hand, as well as anything else they wish to give to voters,” Speck said.

Speck also said the chamber is expecting children at this event, so if candidates want to hand out candy, balloons or anything else they will be able to.

“I asked Rob Winsett, President of the Chamber in February about the chamber hosting a forum (at the time). Speck said,

Speck further explained that the transformation from a forum type of gathering to an informal “meet and greet” was a gradual change, but one she thought would be more attractive and beneficial to both the voter as well as the candidates.

“The chamber hopes to highlight the candidates and lessen worries of voters. This event will give voters a chance to ask questions and make that face to face connection. Also, the chamber hopes to bring attention to the chamber, and encourage more people to be active in the community,” Speck said.

As of Monday of this week, Speck said there are 30 candidates confirmed who will be attending the event on Tuesday night.

“We hope to have more,” Speck said. “If the event is successful this year, then we hope to continue it. We hope folks in the community will come out and support their candidates. The chamber is excited to host this event and I am excited to coordinate the efforts.”

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, plans to move the event to the Albany First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall are in place.

“The goal of this event is to encourage voters to meet the candidates running for office and gives the candidates a chance to meet with voters. One question a few candidates have asked, will they be parked beside their opposition and the answer is no,” Speck said. “Candidates will be randomly parked around the square and overflow will be parked at the Foothills Festival lot. The chamber wants this to be a family friendly event with no conflict. Chamber of Commerce will not be asking nor interviewing candidates, only providing a community outlet for them to meet some voters.”

Also to benefit from the event will be the Highway Church Bible Quizzing Team.

Highway Church will have concessions on sale such as hot dogs, chips, drinks and more, proceeds will go toward their quizzing team.

“The chamber fully supports all candidates seeking office and wishes all of them the best of luck,” Speck said.

If any candidate would like to register for the event, contact April Speck at 606-387-2051.