COVINGTON — Covington voters seeking more information about the city's political races are about to hear directly from the candidates.

        The first of three debates by candidates for Covington school board, mayor and City Commission will be held Thursday night at Holmes High School.

        The public is invited to attend all the debates, which will feature candidates taking questions from the audience.

        “It's important for people to attend because Covington is really at a crossroads in so many ways when it comes to development, the future of our city, the school system and more,” said Chuck Eilerman of Friends of Covington, one of the community groups sponsoring the debates.

        “There are a lot of new candidates running, particularly in the school board race, where five of the seven people running are not on the board,” he said. “So the debates are not only a chance to see and hear the candidates, but it's also a wonderful opportunity for voters to hear proposals from the people who want to lead our city and school system over the next several years.”

        Each of the debates begins at 7 p.m. at the Holmes High School auditorium, 25th and Madison Pike. Candidates will take questions from a panel of reporters and from the audience through written questions selected by debate organizers — the Covington Business Council and the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative.

        Here is the schedule:

        • School board, Thursday night. Seven candidates are running for three seats. They are Joe Boyle, Everett Dameron, Glenda Huff, Hensley Jemmott, Col Owens, Charles “Butch” Reed and Rita Wilson.

        • Mayor, Oct. 19. Candidates are City Commissioner Butch Callery and former Mayor Bernie Moorman.

        • City Commission, Oct. 26. Six candidates are running for four seats. They are Jerry Bamberger, Craig Bohman, Alex Edmondson, Tony Milburn, John “J.T.” Spence and Jimmy Williams.

        The groups sponsoring the debates also held a mayoral debate in the spring that attracted about 120 people, said Rachel DeLugish of the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative.

        “I thought that debate played a big role in the outcome of the election,” she said. “It really showed the difference between the candidates, and it gave the newer candidates a chance to get their platforms and themselves out in front of the voters.”

        Issues expected to be discussed in the mayoral and commission races are development, litter control, parks and recreation, vacant buildings and more attention to the city's neighborhoods from city hall.

        School board candidates will be asked about a discipline policy, hiring a new superintendent, redistricting and a recent state audit critical of the district.

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