General Manager

sfoster@pickenssentinel.com

PICKENS COUNTY - Residents of Pickens County will have several opportunities to hear local candidates go head to head in debates as we head toward Election Day.

"We are proud to present these public candidates' forums to give every citizen the opportunity to meet the candidates, to ask questions and to listen to what the candidates say about issues that concern us all," said Bea Bailey, president of the Clemson Area League of Women Voters.

Debates for select races will be held at the Easley and Central-Clemson branch libraries and are hosted by the Pickens County Library System and the League.

Bailey said all residents are encouraged to attend the debates held in their voting districts.

School Board candidates with opposition will face off at the Captain Kimberly Hampton

Memorial Library in Easley on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m., including Pickens District 3 candidates Selena Brinson and Alex Saitta; and Easley District 5 candidates Randy Bowers, Dale Cantrell, Essie Clark and Judy Edwards.

A second debate will also be held at the Easley location on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Wesley Burbage, the Democratic candidate, and Sam Wyche, the Republican candidate, for County Council Pickens Seat 3 will go head to head.

And in a county-wide race, incumbent Republican Sheriff C. David Stone will debate Democrat challenger Robert Crooks.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, The Central-Clemson Library will host a debate between incumbent Republican B.R. Skelton and Democrat Jason Gale for the S.C. House of Representatives District 3 Seat.

All three debates are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit http://clemsonarea.sc.lwvnet.org/index.html or call Reggie Ruretzky at 944-7171.