Huntsville and Madison Mayoral Candidates to Debate Live on Newschannel 19

Unique debates a joint-project of the Committee of 100 and Newschannel 19

Huntsville, Al - The Committee of 100 & NewsChannel 19 (WHNT-TV, CBS) have joined forces to present a live debate with the candidates for mayor in Huntsville and Madison this election year.

The four candidates for Huntsville Mayor and three candidates for Madison Mayor will be asked to respond to questions on education, economic growth, traffic congestion/road improvements, shared planning and services and other issues during a live debate to be televised on NewsChannel 19 (WHNT-TV, CBS). All seven candidates have committed to participate.

Two separate races, two separate debates in one live program on Tuesday, August 12th, 6:30-8 p.m. on Newschannel 19 and streamed live on www.whnt.com.

In a unique move, questions will originate from a panel of journalists and Athens State Political Science Professor, Dr. Jess Brown, in the Newschannel 19 Studios, where the debate will take place, and from the public who are watching the debate live from a satellite location.

Monaco Pictures' Prive 1 Theater at Bridge Street Town Center will host the public viewing of the debate. NewsChannel 19 will provide live (broadcast) and internet capability for the public to pose questions from the Monaco Pictures' Scene Lounge to the candidates back at the NewsChannel 19 studios.

Following the debate, the Committee of 100 will host a reception in the Prive Lounge for the seven mayoral candidates and other candidates for city council and school board races on the August 26 ballot. The Committee of 100 is a group of 180 local business leaders who focus on economic development, public education and cooperative government.

NewsChannel 19 General Manager, Stan Pylant, said, "Our goal is to provide interesting opportunities for the public to learn about the candidates and make informed decisions before they go to the polls. By showing the debate on the big screen at Monaco Pictures, the public can get informed and then share their thoughts and opinions with other Huntsville and Madison residents." Mayoral Debate - page 2

"In addition to the thousands of citizens who can watch the debate on live television or the web, those who attend the viewing at Monaco will have the opportunity to network with the candidates and other community leaders in a fun and informative environment," said Breck Robinson, chair of the Committee of 100's YP (young professional) planning committee.

"The Committee of 100 hopes this event will engage a broad cross-sections of citizens in learning more about the issues facing our community and increase turnout in the August 26 election," added Ashley Swink, also of the Committee's YP planning committee.

On May 22nd, Newschannel 19 produced and aired a debate of all candidates for the 5th Congressional District live from the Newschannel 19 studio in downtown Huntsville. No other Huntsville television station has aired a debate this election year.

The municipal elections for both cities will be held on Tuesday, August 26.