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Ask questions now for candidate debate
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MONROE - Candidate debates will put incumbents for local public offices and their challengers in the hot seat March 25 at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center.

One seat on the Green County Board of Supervisors, three seats on Monroe's Common Council and the office of mayor of Monroe are being challenged in the April 6 election.

The debates will be based on questions submitted by citizens, according to Pam Christopher, executive director of Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The group is hosting the event.

People are asked to submit their questions now for consideration. A review panel will open the questions a day or two before the debate and prepare a list of questions to be asked. All questions in the past will be asked by the moderator and questions will remain anonymous.

"We want candidates to be thinking on their feet, and don't want to risk questions getting out before the debate," Christopher said.

Candidates may be secluded during the debates, so they won't have time to consider questions asked of other candidates.

"We are trying to be as fair as possible in this," Christopher said. "The questions will be the same for each candidate, in a round-robin fashion."

Whether candidates will face a panel or a moderator during the debates has not been determined.

Green County Board Supervisor Steve Stettler will face challenger Robert Gadow in the 18th District, in Decatur township.

Incumbent Mark Coplien is being challenged by Michael Boyce in Ward 3, southeast Monroe.

Incumbent Thurston Hanson will face challenger Louis Armstrong in Ward 7, downtown Monroe.

Richard Thoman and Michael Rivers are vying for the open westside seat in Ward 9.

Two-term incumbent Mayor Ron Marsh will face two challengers, former mayor Bill Ross and Tyler Schultz.

Questions can be submitted by mailing them to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, 1505 9th Street, Monroe, Wis. 53566; by e-mailing your questions to: thechamber@tds.net; or by submitting your questions in person. Questions must be received no later than March 18.