Upper Bucks county residents will have a chance to meet many of their candidates in the upcoming elections face to face on May 8.
Upper Bucks United, a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to serving residents in the Palisades, Pennridge and Quakertown Community school districts, is hosting a candidate forum at Quakertown United Methodist Church in Richland Township.
The goal of the forum is to increase public engagement across civil and political spectrums.
“These forums are so important to me because I want people to know what and who they’re voting for – because I didn’t know – and I want us to be better,” said Upper Bucks United Spokesperson Katie Henderson.
The event begins with light refreshments and an appetizer “pot luck” from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the church located at 1875 Freier Road, Quakertown. A moderated panel and audience Q&A follows from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“Last year, UBU did a series of listening sessions where we talked with people in the community and gathered survey data about issues important to them,” Henderson explained.
Questions arising from last year’s surveys and listening sessions will be included in the May 8 forum.
The top questions include such topics as:
· Civil Rights. The right to peaceful protest; specifically the response to and subsequent treatment of those Quakertown Community High School students known as the Quakertown 5, and their February protest marred by police violence.
· Democracy in action and reaction. The importance of holding leaders accountable and transparency in government from federal, state and local levels.
· Affordability and prices. From gas and grocery prices to utilities costs and affordable or sustainable housing and the financial impact on families and communities now.
“This [format] is in line with Upper Bucks United’s mission to hold elected leaders accountable and listen to our community members and make sure we amplify issues they care about,” Henderson explained.
She said recent engagement from voters and community members is up recently and attributes the rise in social awareness and involvement to the treatment of the Quakertown 5 during a planned February 20 protest that turned violent.
“The Quakertown 5 was a catalyst for a lot of things – and a lot of people on the local level are paying closer attention,” Henderson added.
She noted more people are closely following the case because of the high profile involvement of Quakertown Borough Manager and Police Chief Scott McElree, the Quakertown school board and Quakertown borough council.
“I think it opened eyes … and sometimes the people at the local level move up” in local and state government, she said.
While candidates from all political parties have been invited to attend, the following are confirmed to participate in the May 8 forum.
Democrat Lucia Simonelli and Libertarian Jamie Frost Remmey are running to represent Pennsylvania’s first congressional district. Remmey is currently seeking petition signatures to run in November’s election. Fellow Democrat Bob Harvie and Republican incumbent Brian Fitzpatrick did not respond.
Democrats Mark Pinsley and Bradley Merkl-Gump are running for Pennsylvania Senate District 16, which includes portions of Lehigh and Bucks counties. Their opponent in the general, incumbent Republican Jarrett Coleman, did not respond.
Other forum participants confirmed to attend include Democrat Les Mavus, who is running against incumbent Republican Craig Staats to represent Pennsylvania House District 145. Staats said he was not available.
Democrat Tim Hayes is running against incumbent Republican Shelby Labs to represent Pennsylvania House District 143. Labs did not respond.
What: Candidates Voter Forum
Where: Quakertown United Methodist Church, 1875 Freier Road, Quakertown, 18951
When: May 8, meet and greet with light refreshments 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by moderated panel discussion and audience Q&A from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
