Some of the candidates running for various local offices this year, at a June candidates’ forum held in East Park. From left to right: County Clerk candidate Bill Smith, Ward 6 Alderman candidate Robert D. Jeffrey, City Supervisor candidate Robert M. Jeffrey, Ward 2 Alderman candidate Thomas Curnalia, County Sheriff candidate Debra Cubbedge, County Sheriff candidate Ernest Cutting, Mayoral candidate Brian Doliver, County Clerk candidate Brian Wessels, Ward 2 Alderman candidate Fred Gee, Mayoral candidate John Quattrocchi, and Ward 4 Alderman candidate Bill Loomis. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — With Election Day right around the corner, on November 2, those running for office in Norwich and Chenango County are gearing up for a public candidates' forum. The forum is set to take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 17, at the Norwich American Legion hall, located at 29 Sheldon Street in Norwich.

Forum co-organizer Matthew Caldwell said the event is meant to be a way for candidates and voters to meet and discuss policies and concerns.

"My feeling is that this is both a candidates and members of the community venue, and an opportunity to meet collectively to kind of share ideas and concerns and other items of interest, in a way that can be informative and educational prior to an election," said Caldwell. "It's really not a debate. I mean, we've kind of used that term loosely but it's not like, you know, you see the presidential debates on TV, that's really not the format here."

A 45-minute time slot will be given for each contested election, to allow both candidates time to discuss their respective policies, as well as give audience members the chance to ask questions, according to forum co-organizer Karol Kucinski.