Two forums scheduled by Valley Service Organization

With the Primary Election little more than a month away, Valley residents will have two opportunities to learn more about the candidates that will be appearing on the ballot on August 18. 

The Valley Service Organization (VSO) will be holding forums later this month for seven candidates for Saratoga Town Council, the five candidates for Board of Carbon County Commissioners (BOCCC) and the four candidates for House District 47. The council candidates invited to the first forum are Tasha Worthington, Steven Heinitz, Kristen Teubner, Danny Burau, Benjamin R. Spaulding, John Jump and Creed James. 

The candidates invited to the second forum include House District 47 candidates Jerry Paxton of Encampment, Joey Correnti IV of Saratoga, Julie McCallister of Rock River and Dee Garrison of Bairoil. All four candidates are running as Republicans. Also invited to the second forum are BOCCC candidates John Espy of Rawlins, Sue Jones of Encampment, Byron Barkhurst of Saratoga, Gerald “Jerry” Steele of Rawlins and Dustin G. Buffington of Encampment.

According to organizer Kassey Westring, the Platte Valley Community Center (PVCC) will be set up to ensure that statewide restrictions over the novel coronavirus will be followed.

“Masks will not be required,” Westring said in a press release from the VSO. “They (PVCC) will set up the room and chairs to encourage social distancing and follow existing protocols. They also have hand sanitizer at the doors for use.”

Both forums will begin at 6 p.m. with the Saratoga Town Council forum scheduled for Monday, July 20 and the BOCCC/House District 47 forum scheduled for Wednesday, July 22. Questions for the candidates can be emailed to Westring at [email protected] or through the VSO Facebook page in a private message.