Shelby County voters who want to familiarize themselves with candidates in the upcoming municipal elections will get that chance in a series of ten forums sponsored by the four chambers of commerce and the county’s longstanding community newspaper.

Municipal election forums will be hosted for each community where there is opposition for the office of mayor; dates, times and locations for each are listed below. The Calera Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce, and the Shelby County Reporter are sponsoring these forums.

All candidates who have qualified in the municipal election have been invited to the forums.

Candidates for mayor and city council will have the opportunity to discuss their platform during each forum with candidates for mayor also participating in a question-and-answer round.

“Making an informed decision in the voting booth takes careful study of the candidates and the issues facing each of the communities in Shelby County,” said Tim Prince, editor, publisher and president of the Shelby County Reporter. “Our hope is that the forum will provide an excellent opportunity for voters to gain a strong understanding of the important issues in these elections and how each candidate would approach them.”

Location, date and time for each municipal forum:

• City of Alabaster @ Thompson H.S., August 11th, 2008 @ 6:30 p.m.
• City of Chelsea @ Chelsea H.S., August 11th, 2008 @ 6:30 p.m.
• Town of Wilton @ Montevallo H.S., August 11th, 2008 @ 6:30 p.m.
• City of Montevallo @ Montevallo H.S., August 12th, 2008 @ 6:30 p.m.
• City of Columbiana @ Shelby County H.S., August 12th, 2008 @ 6:30 p.m.
• City of Pelham @ Pelham H.S., August 12th, 2008 @ 6:30 p.m.
• Town of Vincent @ Vincent Middle-H.S., August 12th, 2008 @ 6:30 p.m.
• Town of Westover @ ServPro, August 18th, 2008 @ 6:30 p.m.
• City of Calera @ Calera H.S., August 19th, 2008 @ 6:30 p.m.
• Town of Wilsonville @ Wilsonville Town Hall, August 19th, 2008 @ 6:30 p.m.

For additional information, please contact Tim Prince at 205.669.3132