Speed debating

Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.

Weird week. Last Sunday, the discussion arose that we ought to have a debate among the candidates running for the Reno City Council, and here it is, Friday, and it’s a go. So far, incumbents Sharon Zadra and Dwight Dortch and challengers Erik Holland, Scott Kelley and Vivian Freeman have agreed to participate in the forum. We’re waiting to hear from Mayor Bob Cashell, but since he’s never seemed like the kind of guy to shy away from honest discussion, we’re assuming he’s going to show up.

The RN&R has never done this type of thing before, and as soon as the news got out that I was gauging candidates’ interest, I started getting calls from people interested in participating—offering skills and resources to make this thing successful. Kind of cool, really.

So, OK, as it now stands, the Reno News & Review is going to have a candidate debate/forum at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 12 in the auditorium at the Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St. I’ll introduce the candidates, Dennis Myers will act as moderator.

We’re expecting to have six candidates to answer questions in one hour, so it’s going to be quick-paced and fun. Hopefully not as boring as some of the other debates going around the area. We’ll have three 20-minute rounds of questions: questions from the RN&R, questions from the audience; and finally, each candidate will have the opportunity to ask the opposing candidate one concise question. The candidate will have two minutes to respond, and the opposing candidate will have one minute to rebut.

Anyway, it’s going to be open to the public and free, but that auditorium only holds 180 people, so get there early. It’s going to be a kick. Also, the Sierra Club is having a candidate’s forum at 7 p.m. over at Bartley Ranch.

On-deadline update: The mayor’s campaign manager said Cashell has a private engagement that night, but he’ll let us know if the mayor will be able to participate.