A Callaway County group devoted to helping build a sense of community among area residents is hosting a forum intended to introduce that community to its candidates for public office.
Friend to Friend Inc., of Shamrock, is inviting Callaway citizens to meet candidates for Callaway County assessor, eastern district commissioner, western district commissioner, public administrator, sheriff and treasurer at 7 p.m. on June 19, at 1533 County Road 1025.
All of the registered candidates have been invited, and will have time to introduce themselves and give a brief campaign speech, followed by an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.
"We just felt that there's a lot of people who don't know the commissioners and don't know who's running (for office)," said committee chairman Don Ernst. "We thought we would invite them out so (the candidates) can give a brief talk on what to do, so people can at least know who they are.
"It's not going to be a real big thing where we get into a lot of detail; it's more of a forum just to meet."
Friend to Friend president Lori Deimete agreed that "we just felt like we, as citizens, needed to get to know our local candidates and let them get to know us."
"When you have a strong relationship, it makes a connection to who they're providing services to, and who they're supposed to be serving," Deimete said. "This is their opportunity to make that connection with people."