News-Record to host Whitesboro ‘Meet the Candidates’ reception for public on April 10

The Whitesboro News-Record (WNR) will host a Meet the Candidates reception on Wednesday, April 10 from 6-8 p.m. at the Jimmie O. Rector Community Center.

Candidates running for Whitesboro City Council and Whitesboro School Board will each have a table at the event. Community members are invited to visit with each candidate one-on-one and ask any questions they may have. The school district will also have a representative available to answer questions about the school bond package.

“Due to the large number of candidates this year, a moderated forum just wasn’t feasible,” WNR Publisher Austin Lewter said. “It’s important for the community to have a chance to come and learn more about these candidates, so we decided a meet-and-greet reception would be a good option.”

The Whitesboro City Council has three two-year term seats and one one-year term seat to fill. Candidates for the two-year term seats are incumbents Ben Edwards, Stacey Miles and John Moore. Challengers are Johnny Carnes, Ronnie Fielder and Mike Pack. Candidates for the one-year term seat are incumbent Colby Meals and challenger Su Welch.

The Whitesboro School Board has two three-year terms seats to fill. Jeff Patterson and Kevin Hartless are running for re-election while challengers include Caleigh Latta, Nicole Hawkins and Whitney Walsh-Sietz.

Whitesboro City Council, School Board and School Bond propositions will all appear on voting ballots this spring. Early voting begins April 22 and Election Day is May 4.

“Voter apathy is one of the greatest challenges in any election,” Lewter said. “Not only do we need people to get out and vote, but we need informed voters who have done their research and are making decisions based on the issues that are important to them.”