TurlockCityNews.com will host its first-ever candidate forum next week, giving Turlock Irrigation District candidates a chance to discuss contentious issues with voters.

The forum will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the American Legion Hall, 75 Bothun Rd., Turlock.

“Our readership and local candidates have requested TurlockCityNews.com hold a forum to help inform voters and candidates of the issues each face,” TurlockCityNews.com owner and publisher David “DJ” Fransen said. “So I'm excited that we can facilitate that by hosting TurlockCityNews.com's first-ever public candidate forum.”

Both candidates for the District 5 seat, incumbent TID Director Ron Macedo, a farmer, and challenger Darrel Monroe, a retired irrigation worker, will attend the forum.

Incumbent TID Division 3 Director Joe Alamo, an agribusinessman, will be in attendance, but his challenger Dan Agundez, a retired electrical worker, is not expected to attend due to a prior engagement.

The forum will see candidates provide opening and closing statements, answer four prepared questions, and then field questions from the audience. Light refreshments and pizza will be provided for guests.

The forum is being organized by TurlockCityNews.com, Turlock's only daily, locally-owned source for news and information. Since its 2005 founding, TurlockCityNews.com has grown to serve more than 88,000 unique visitors each month.

Hosting a candidate forum is the next logical step to achieving the mission of TurlockCityNews.com, Fransen said – sharing the news and information that matters with the citizens of Turlock.

“There's a responsibility to facilitate the distribution of factual information as the most trafficked Turlock media,” Fransen said.

Issues and questions that may potentially be brought into discussion by the moderator can be emailed in advance to turlock@turlockcitynews.com.

Oct. 21 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 5 election. To register online, visit http://registertovote.ca.gov/.