Corry Residents Invited to Town Hall with Candidates for Council & Mayor

With the primary election approaching on May 20th, voters in Corry will have a chance to meet some of the candidates for mayor and city council. The Committee to Elect Fike, Gray and Roche is hosting a Town Hall on Thursday, May 15th from 7 to 9 PM at Relevant Church, 100 W. South St.

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Two of the organizers, Melissa and Eric Bahle, will introduce the candidates and lay the ground rules for the event. Brian Silvis, News and Program Director at Channel 98.9 Corry’s Radio Alternative and UCToday.org, will help moderate the evening, which will begin with a one-hour Q&A session followed by an informal “Mingle with the Candidates” session.

The confirmed candidates participating are:
-Bill Roche, a Democrat running for Corry City Council
-Chuck Gray, a Republican also seeking a council seat
-Jeff Fike, a Republican running for mayor

On the ballot for mayor is Jeff Fike, a Republican who is vacating his city council seat to challenge incumbent Mayor Michael Baker. Running for the two open seats on Corry City Council are Chuck Gray and Charlie Campbell, both Republicans, and Bill Roche, a Democrat. The council openings include Fike’s seat and the seat currently held by Kristen Lindstrom, who is not seeking re-election.

Baker and Campbell have also been invited to participate in the Town Hall but organizers report they have not received a response as of Sunday from either candidate. UCToday.org made contact with Baker who said he was still undecided if he will attend the event.

Organizers say they will strictly enforce respectful conduct, with a zero-tolerance policy for disruptive or disrespectful behavior. Community members will be invited to ask candidates questions during the Q&A session, with each questioner limited to one minute and candidates given up to three minutes to respond. No candidate-to-candidate debate will be permitted.

During the second hour, attendees can submit written questions to candidates, which may be answered on social media after the event.

This town hall offers residents an important opportunity to hear directly from those seeking local office and to engage with the issues facing the Corry community.