Partnership of Local Nonprofits Announces 'Mayorathon 2016' Candidates Forum
RICHMOND, VA – A partnership of local nonprofit organizations announced today ‘Mayorathon 2016’ – a Richmond City mayoral candidate forum to be held at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Thursday, September 29.
The James River Association, Richmond Forward, RVA Rapid Transit, Sports Backers, and Storefront for Community Design have teamed up with Richmond magazine to host a candidate forum highlighting formative issues for Richmond’s future. With the help of a neutral moderator and the expertise of each of the partnering nonprofits, each candidate for Mayor of the City of Richmond will be able to lay out their plans and priorities for improving public education, increasing active transportation, strengthening city neighborhoods, and protecting and celebrating the James River.
“As the 2016 elections grow closer, certain topic areas keep rising to the top in the nonprofit community,” said Max Hepp-Buchanan, Director of Sports Backers’ Bike Walk RVA program. “Education and school facilities, transportation – particularly walking, biking, and mass transit – neighborhood identity and smart urban planning, and the James River were among the top four issues. We decided those were great issues to build a candidate forum around.”
Every candidate for Mayor with an active, ongoing campaign after Tuesday’s filing deadline will be invited to attend. In addition to the Mayorathon forum, each partner organization is today distributing a candidate questionnaire about their priority issue and will work with Richmond Magazine to make the candidates’ responses available to the public in the weeks leading up to the forum.
“Mayorathon is about pushing the city forward,” said Susan Winiecki, Editorial Director of Richmond magazine. “None of the organizations involved are making endorsements. We just want to know where the candidates stand on issues that define Richmond for those considering moving here and for those who live here and expect more.”
Mayorathon 2016 will be held on September 29, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the VMFA’s Leslie Cheek Theater, followed by a reception and chance for candidates to mingle with the public from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the VMFA Atrium. The forum is free and open to the public.
###
