Primary candidates campaigning for  Deer Park City Council positions will participate in a town hall debate at the Pickett Fence in Deer Park. This event will allow voters to get to know candidates through a question-answer section which will include questions from event hosts, the community, and each other.

The Town Hall Debate is a free event that is open to the community. Come get to know the city council candidates that are participating in this upcoming general election. Each candidate will have an opportunity to set up an information table/booth/area of some sort at the event to share information and interact with the public. The mayoral candidates will not be participating in the debate itself. 

The event will be held on the lawn of the Pickett Fence, starting at 7pm. Organizers ask that people bring a lawn chair. 

This event has been organized by Councilman Caleb Stapp and Michael Brock from the Deer Park Tribune.  None of the council candidates have previewed the questions or topics to be discussed.

The schedule for the event is as follows:

Introduction

One of the organizers, Councilman Caleb Stapp, will lay out the ground rules and explain the format.

Prepared questions

This section is to be about 20 minutes long, in which organizers will ask candidates questions that have been gathered from citizens before the event. They state that no question will go to just one candidate though they may ask two candidates of each race the same question.  

Town Hall Questions

This section is to be about 25 minutes. This is when audience members will be encouraged to ask questions and direct their questions to specific candidates or everyone. Organizers encourage people to ask questions of two candidates running against one another as much as possible due to time restraints instead of all candidates. 

Debate questions 

This section is to be about 40 minutes. This is where only two candidates will be participating at a time while the others observe. There will be 8-10 minutes per pair and will alternate pairs. Candidates are encouraged to bring two prepared questions to ask their opponent.

Closing

Each candidate will share a two-minute statement at the end of why people should vote for them.

After closing, the community will be encouraged to visit candidates at their table/booth/area and continue the conversation. Organizers want to thank the Deer Park Tribune, Deer Park Gazette, The Pickett Fence, The Vine Community, First Baptist Church, and Knight Boat Docks for providing supplies, space, and technology. They also want people to know that the City of Deer Park does not sponsor this event. 

If you would like to read the 5 Questions asked by the Deer Park Gazette to all the candidates and their responses, go to: DPGazette.com/izncu