On August 12, The Heart of Pell City Downtown Revitalization, the Rotary Club of Pell City and the St. Clair News-Aegis will host the 2016 Pell City Candidate Debate, open to those qualified to participate in the upcoming Municipal Election on August 23. The event will be at 6 p.m., with doors opening to the public at 5:30 p.m.

These organizations have partnered in order to provide a forum for candidates to present their visions for the city and discuss key local issues in front of engaged citizens. The 2016 Pell City Candidate Debate will be held at CEPA – The Pell City Center for Education and Performing Arts and is free and open to the public.

Debates provide candidates with a rare opportunity to present their messages organically and to a diverse audience. And for those who attend, these events provide critical education about their choices prior to election day.

The event will feature an evening of conversation as candidates discuss questions submitted by the public and selected by a non-affiliated committee. Topics will include local economic growth, Pell City Schools, infrastructure, industrial development and others.

During the evening, candidates running for both Pell City Mayor and City Council positions will be given an opportunity to speak directly to voters. Only candidates representing contested positions were invited to participate.

For more or to submit topics you would like to see candidates discuss during the debate, contact Kristen Dale at the News-Aegis at (205) 884-2310 or email kdale@newsaegis.com.

Committed to participate:

Pell City Mayor

Joe Funderburg (Incumbent)

Bill Pruitt

City Council District 1

Jay Jenkins (Incumbent)

David Arnett

City Council District 3

Dot Wood (Incumbent)

Blaine Henderson

City Council District 4

Sharon Thomas (Incumbent)

Jason Mitcham

City Council District 5

Terry Templin (Incumbent)

Jud Alverson

Phil Roberson