Candidates for local and state elected office will have the opportunity to share their campaign goals with Walker County voters next month.

Walker County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a candidates forum on Thursday, June 17.

Primary elections, in which voters decide candidates by political party, will be July 20.

“Forty-two candidates have been invited to speak and were asked to call the Chamber by June 10 to RSVP,” Chamber director of programs and events Angie Meeks said. “There are so many candidates, who could respond that if they all come and talk for 10 minutes, then it could last a while.”

Chamber President Joanna Jackson said the forum would allow time for candidate remarks and a brief question and answer session.

“We invited all local and state candidates,” Jackson said. “The time limit to speak is dependent on the number of candidates responding. Once we have all the responses, we will decide.”

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When: Thursday, June 17


Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Walker County Civic Center


Admission: Free. Any candidate wishing to speak on June 17 must call the Chamber no later than June 10 at (706) 375-7702.

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The follow-up general election forum will be Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. also at the Walker County Civic Center. The general election will be Nov. 3.

Charles Lusk, Chamber governmental affairs committee chairman, is in charge of coordinating the candidate forums.

Beverages will be provided at the forums.

The Chamber canceled a candidates forum scheduled shortly before the November 2002, based on lack of candidate interest, according to the Chamber.

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The Walker County Chamber of Commerce's monthly luncheon will be Tuesday, May 25, at 11:50 a.m. at the Walker County Civic Center. Guest speaker Janis Cannon is the deputy commissioner of tourism for the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism. She will discuss the current state of tourism in Georgia and how it affects all economic development. For more information, call the Chamber at (706) 375-7702.


The Chamber's June board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15, at 8:30 a.m. at the Walker County Civic Center.

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In other business:

* The Catoosa-Walker Business Expo was a success, according to the Walker County Chamber.

“We had approximately 70 exhibitors,” Jackson said. “Total income expected is $6,500, and total expenses were $5,426, with a net income of $1,074, which will be split 50/50 with the Catoosa Chamber.”

Overall survey responses were good, she said.

“The business expo was very well executed,” Chamber Chairman Shannon Whitfield said. “The atmosphere was good, and I heard nothing but compliments.”

* The Chamber hopes to hire an intern from Chattooga High School to help with promotions.

* “We had approximately 159 reservations for the Administrative Professional’s Day Fashion Show,” Jackson said. “Income was $4,500, and expenses were $3,259.19, with a net income of $1,240.81.”

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