Star’s GOP candidate forums set for Wednesday

The Boerne Star is sponsoring a pair of candidate forums for contested Kendall County races featured on the March 1 primary election ballot.

The forums are scheduled for 6 and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9, at Kronkosky Place, 17 Old San Antonio Road in Boerne.

All Republican candidates seeking their party’s nod for Kendall County judge, Precincts 2 and 4 commissioner and Precinct 2 justice of the peace have accepted invitations to attend. There are no primary races on the Democratic side.

Star General Manager Keith E. Domke will moderate the forums.

“Our forums will give the public the opportunity to hear fair and impartial questions asked with no agenda in mind,” Domke said. “We want to hear what the candidates have to say about the real issues as well as their thoughts on some of the difficult decisions and situations that lie ahead.

“We hope we have a full house of interested Kendall County voters at Kronkosky Place on Wednesday night.”

At 6 p.m., the two Precinct 2 races – commissioner and justice of the peace – will be in the spotlight. At 7:30 p.m., the focus will shift to the Kendall County judge and Precinct 4 commissioner candidates. Both forums will last about an hour.

Republican candidates seeking their GOP nod are William Faery, Jim

Kohler and Dave Neighbor for Precinct 2 justice of the peace; Leon Brimhall, Garry Manitzas and Andra Wisian for Precinct 2 county commissioner; Chad Carpenter, Gary Louie and Patty Walsh Martinez for Precinct 4 county commissioner; and Richard Elkins, Shane Stolarczyk and Chris Taylor for county judge.

Candidates for each office will be asked the same questions in a rotating order. Everyone will be given equal time to respond, and there will be no rebuttals. Questions will be centered on some of the key local issues, including growth, development, transportation, finances and job responsibilities.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Seating at Kronkosky Place will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The Star hopes to also livestream the forums on its Facebook page.