A public forum planned for Oct. 16 is a chance for the community to hear the views of candidates seeking local offices and an opportunity for local candidates to answer questions from the community.

The event, coordinated by International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at Rainy River Community College.

 “This is an opportunity to hear about the candidates and an opportunity for the candidates to talk about themselves,” said Faye Whitbeck, chamber president.

The content, format and execution of the forum will be produced by the RRCC Student Senate along with high school students from the Falls and Indus. The group is under the direction of Bradley Krasaway, RRCC Student Senate advisor; and Wade Sutton, Indus English instructor.

In respect to the limitations of time, questions for the candidates will be limited to a prepared format. To submit a question for consideration, send it to Krasaway at brad.krasaway@rainyriver.edu.

In written notification through the post office, candidates for positions on the International Falls City Council, Ranier City Council, Koochiching County Board and District 361 School Board will be invited to participate. Respective candidates of those races who would like to participate should contact Krasaway no later than Oct. 5, at 285-2208 or brad.krasaway@ rainyriver.edu .

 Whitbeck said the chamber was approached to consider offering a candidates forum because it had successfully hosted one in 2010.

However, Whitbeck said, the chamber believed it had a conflict of interest in organizing an event this year and so began researching how it could host the event, but not be directly involved in the format.

“The college and Indus School were the first to jump on it, and recruited Falls High School students to help,” she said.

Involving students in the forum is a way to get young people involved, Whitbeck said.

“The chamber is very focused on education right now as we work with businesses and educational institutions to close that gap, so this was a perfect match to have students in the know about what politics and races are all about and also is helpful to our members, which is mostly businesses, and want to know their candidates,” she added.

More information is available at the Chamber of Commerce, 283-9400.