The Newtown Bee is in the early stages of planning its free annual Candidates Forum, which will happen Tuesday, October 18, from 7:30 to 9 pm, on stage at the Edmond Town Hall Theatre, with a pre-event meet-and-greet session opening at 7 pm.

The 2016 forum will depart from the moderated question and answer format that has occurred in previous years, to a town hall-style featuring resident constituents on stage with the candidates, asking their own questions in a somewhat less formal dialog format.

As such, the newspaper is seeking to hear from residents who are interested in being part of the event and articulating their own questions to candidates in a more personal and intimate setting. Anyone interested in being considered for on stage participation is asked to contact

Editor Nancy Crevier by e-mail and to include a phone number, as well as one or two draft questions.

Please include the phrase "2016 Candidates Forum" in the subject line. Residents may also physically drop off or mail, via US Postal Service, a note of interest, along with one or two example questions to Ms Crevier c/o

The Newtown Bee, 45 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470.

Preliminary plans are to feature the candidates for the 106th District, which encompasses most of Newtown. Incumbent Republican Representative

Mitch Bolinsky and Democratic challenger Eva Zimmerman have both agreed to participate.

Any petitioning or minor party candidate who may seek a position on the 106th District ballot will be invited as well. According to Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia-Halstead, September 7 is the cutoff date for petitioning and minor party candidates to qualify for a ballot slot.

The newspaper is still determining whether candidates for the Second and/or 112th Legislative District, and 28th Senate District will be included. Each of those legislative districts overlay small sections in the far southern and western neighborhoods, and Newtown is among several communities in the 28th Senate District.

A list of nominees from the Secretary of the State's Office indicates that 112th District Republican incumbent JP Sredzinski is running for reelection unopposed. Former Second District Rep Dan Carter is not seeking reelection in favor of running against Senator Richard Blumenthal for the US Senate.

Bethel resident and Democrat

Raghib Allie-Brennan is challenging fellow Bethel resident and Republican William Duff for the vacant Second District seat. Incumbent 28th District Republican Senator Tony Hwang is being challenged by Fairfield resident Philip Dwyer.

Residents interested in attending as general audience members are encouraged to save the date, and to come out to the forum on October 18. There is no admission.

The forum is produced by Associate Editor John Voket, and is hosted as a community service by

The Newtown Bee.

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