ELLSWORTH – The Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce and The Pierce County Journal are teaming up once again to host a Candidate Forum for the upcoming Village of Ellsworth Board election. This forum provides a valuable opportunity for community members to hear directly from the candidates and learn more about their vision for the future of Ellsworth.

The forum will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20 streamed live on Facebook via The Pierce County Journal and Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce Facebook pages. All Ellsworth residents, business owners and community stakeholders are invited to attend. A recording will be made available for post-event viewing.

This non-debate style event is designed to inform citizens and create an opportunity for civic engagement. Rather than candidates engaging in direct back-and-forth discussions, the event will follow a structured format with each candidate responding to a series of pre-determined questions. Questions for the forum have been curated to provide voters with insight into each candidate’s vision for Ellsworth. The event will be moderated by John McLoone, Publisher of The Pierce County Journal.

Candidates invited to participate include Village President candidate and incumbent Becky Beissel, and trustee candidates Ryan Bench (incumbent), Dick Hines, Melissa Petersen, Andrew Borner (incumbent) and Jarod J. Traynor. Three trustee seats are up for grabs.

Local elections have a direct impact on everyday life, from infrastructure projects to economic development initiatives and community planning.

“Our goal is to provide a platform for candidates to share their views on important local issues while giving voters a chance to learn more about those who seek to represent them,” said Kim Beebe, Executive Director of the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce. “This forum isn’t just about politics; it’s about building a stronger, more connected community.”

McLoone echoed Beebe’s sentiments.

“A newspaper’s job is to inform the public on important issues,” he said. “Nothing is more important than local elections, because the outcomes affect residents’ everyday lives and the communities in which they live.”

Residents are encouraged to tune in, get informed, and engage in the civic process. By attending the forum, voters can gain a deeper understanding of each candidate's platform and vision, empowering them to make more informed decisions at the polls.
The Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering economic growth and community development. By hosting events like the Candidate Forum, the Chamber aims to build an informed, engaged, and make an informed vote in the upcoming election. For more information about the forum, please visit Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce at www.ellsworthchamber.com.