The Columbus Town Board would like to invite all residents and interested persons to attend Meet the Candidates Night, starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 19. The forum will be held at the Whitney House, next door to the Columbus Community Church, State Route 80 in the Town.

Meet the Candidates Night will be hosted by the honorable Michael Anson, Columbus Town Justice. Candidates will outline their reasons for running for office, and all attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions of their future officials.

Among candidates who have accepted this invitation is Diane Scalzo, a current Town councilwoman who is unopposed in her bid to succeed Tom Grace as supervisor. Supervisors serve two-year terms of office.

This year’s election features one contested race as Republican Elizabeth Vermeulen, former Town bookkeeper, and Democrat Renie Brown, Town Planning Board member, vie to serve the Town as the next Clerk-Tax Collector. The winner of this race will succeed longtime Clerk-Tax Collector Brenda Weidman.

On the ballot also are longtime Highway Superintendent Kevin Cross, veteran Councilwoman Jane Prohaska and Councilwoman candidate, Lexi Wilcox. Highway superintendents serve two-year terms; Council members serve for four years.

The event will begin with opening statements by the candidates, followed by a question-and-answer period.

Although the forum will be held in the spacious Whitney House, allowing people to social-distance, the use of masks by anyone who is immunocompromised is strongly recommended.

submitted by Town of Columbus