Cornelius - Candidate Forum

Description

Town of Cornelius

Cornelius Candidate Forum

The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce will host a Cornelius Candidate Forum on Tuesday, September 30, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Cornelius Town Hall. This two-hour session provides residents with the opportunity to hear directly from candidates, learn about their positions, and submit written questions on issues that matter most to our community.

The forum will be moderated by Justin Ckezepis, owner and general manager of WSIC, and host of Good Morning LKN and Today’s Real Talk on WSIC 105.9FM. With his local roots and broadcasting experience, Justin will guide the discussion to ensure a fair and informative evening.

The Cornelius Candidate Forum is free and open to the public, and will also be livestreamed on WSIC.com and across WSIC’s social media platforms, including Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube, and Truth Social.

Sponsored by WSIC FM, this event is designed to help residents better understand the candidates’ views on growth, land use, schools, transportation, and the issues shaping the future of Cornelius.

For more information, call the Lake Norman Chamber at 704-892-1922 or visit www.lakenormanchamber.org

LAKE NORMAN CHAMBER of COMMERCE

2025 CANDIDATE FORUM PROCESS

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 7:00 – 9:00pm

SEATING and LOGISTICS

The Candidate Forum for Cornelius Town Board will take place at Cornelius Town Hall - 21445 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC

Doors will open at the Town Hall at 6:30.

The Chamber will furnish the moderator – Justin Ckezepis, Owner and Station Manager WSIC

Bottled water will be provided to candidates.

The forum is open to the public which is encouraged to participate.

ISSUES and QUESTIONS

· Questions will come from the audience and submitted via Chat through social media as well as topics that have been identified to the Chamber and WSIC as of interest to our citizens, community, and businesses.

· Questions from the audience/chat will be screened and presented by the moderator to avoid duplications as well as ensure the candidate is offered an opportunity to respond.

· Questions from the Chamber and WSIC will include topics over which the town or CMS candidate has influence. Questions from the audience will take priority over questions from the Chamber/WSIC.

· No surrogates shall be allowed for any race. As such each candidate must speak for him/herself.

· The order of questions put to a candidate will be randomly selected for each question.

· Candidates will be given one (1) minute to respond to each question.

· Please note this is a FORUM, not a DEBATE, so there will be no rebuttal between candidates. Candidates shall not direct questions to other candidates.

· A timekeeper will provide candidates a sign when he/she has 15 seconds remaining and when his/her time has expired.

· The candidate will be given one (1) minute for an opening introduction.

· After the Q&A with the candidates each candidate will be given two minutes for a closing statement.

DRESS

· Dress is up to each individual candidate.

· Candidates historically have worn business attire.