(NOTE: This package ran on Monday)
BUTTE - The public will finally get a chance to hear Butte’s five chief executives in their first public debate, hosted by the Butte America Foundation’s low-power non-profit radio station.
“Civic engagement is one of the pillars of our mission, so we are trying to do what we can to inform the electorate ahead of this primary vote,” said Clark Grant with the Butte America Foundation.
The debate, which will take place in the Carpenter’s Union Hall, will be closed to the public, and candidates will be spaced six feet apart. The public can listen live on KBMF radio or on the Butte America Foundation’s Facebook page. Local media will also be covering the event.
“Each candidate is given a certain allotment of time to answer a question and in course of answering a question calls out another candidate then that person will have a chance to respond,” said Grant.
Incumbent Dave Palmer will be challenged by Tom Cronnelly, Ted Deshner, J.P. Gallagher and Brendan McDonough.
“I think it will be a good opportunity for voters to hear the candidates speak in their own words about topics that we think are important to everybody in Butte. Topics like economic development, Superfund, public health,” said Grant.
The debate will take place May 18 at 7 p.m.
