Richard Free Press To Host Orland Park Mayoral Debate March 23

Orland Park IL

03 March, 2021

12:46 PM

Description

By Jon DePaolis, the Richard Free Press: ORLAND PARK, Ill. – In an effort to provide the voters of Orland Park with information on where the candidates stand on key local issues, Richard Free Press is hosting a mayoral debate at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 23. While the mayoral candidates – incumbent Mayor Keith Pekau and his predecessor Dan McLaughlin – are scheduled to both attend the debate, no other attendance will be permitted besides the moderator and one guest allotted to each campaign. The debate will be hosted at the Orland Park Public Library. It will be broadcast on Zoom and posted online at the conclusion of the event. The debate will be moderated by Richard Free Press' publisher, Jon DePaolis, and the format will be as follows: A coin toss will determine which candidate goes first, with each candidate receiving an equal amount of times to answer a question first.For each question, the candidate being addressed by the moderator will receive two minutes to respond. Then, the other candidate will receive one minute to respond or rebut.There will be a total of eight questions.Additional time may be granted by the moderator if he feels a specific comment or policy deserves a follow-up question or additional information.Following the questions, each candidate will receive two minutes for a closing statement. The winner of the coin toss to start the evening will go first in delivering his closing statement.Candidates' responses should be limited to the question asked, a specific policy proposal or his opponent's policy. No slanderous comments will be allowed during the debate.Candidates will not be allowed to interrupt while the other is speaking.Candidates are not allowed to ask the other a question. Only the moderator can pose questions to the candidates during the debate. Richard Free Press extends its gratitude to the Orland Park Public Library for hosting the candidates and moderator to ensure a fair, smooth debate process. "The library is pleased to provide a neutral ground for this mayoral debate," Orland Park Public Library Director Mary Weimar said. "We serve residents of Orland Park from all backgrounds and beliefs, and we look forward to this educational event offered by Richard Free Press." Virtual attendance is limited to 100 guests for the live debate. However, the event will be livestreamed, and a recording will be made available shortly after the debate concludes. To register to virtually attend the debate live, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3KN8_fvhT9-eXo5t1CPobg. Statement from Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau: "Of course I accepted the debate on March 23, as I've accepted every debate the past four years while McLaughlin hasn't participated in a single one. I'm happy to see he's finally agreed to debate me, because voters deserve the opportunity to hear from the candidates. He needs to accept more than one, but let's see if he actually shows up to this one first before hoping he'll be brave enough to face me and the voters at future debates." Statement from former Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin: "I've always been happy to debate and discuss issues facing Orland Park residents, because openness and transparency are what this job is all about and what our community deserves in its leadership. I'm excited for this opportunity hosted by Richard Free Press, and I look forward to having an honest conversation about how we can move Orland Park forward. I hope Mayor Pekau will join me in pledging to keep our conversation focused on facts, so the citizens of Orland Park can make the most informed decision based on our demonstration of knowledge and plans around the most important issues facing our community." Support the mission of Richard Free Press by subscribing today.Subscribe Richard Free Press is a one-stop destination for the news that most affects you, the southwest suburban resident. Be an informed citizen of the town you live in and love.