Local media outlets and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce are calling candidates vying for office to meet at the “stump” next week.

Candidates for Pike County Commission, the 2nd Congressional District and all state offices will be invited to attend a debate next Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at Swindall’s RV Park.

“Stump ’08 is an old fashioned debate. Stump comes from when candidates use to get on a tree stump and campaign for the position they were going for,” said Jenniffer Barner, director of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce. “So, we wanted to give the candidates a ‘stump’ to state their platforms and answer some questions.”

Barner said all the members of the community are encouraged to attend the debate.

“This is probably the most important election that we have faced as a county, state and nation in many years, and it is highly important that we are all educated on the issues, and we use the voice we are given and go out and vote,” Barner said.

Barner said, as of Wednesday, she had only heard response from four of the local candidates.

Rep. Jay Love has responded, and Mayor Bobby Bright will not be able to attend but will send a representative, Barner said.

Commission Candidates who are running opposed are District 3 incumbent Jimmy Barron and his opponents Sherrill Calhoun and Kathleen Forbish, District 4 incumbent Ray Goodson and his opponent Brian Floyd, District 5 incumbent Charlie Harris and his opponent Jeff Baker, and District 6 candidates Karen Berry and Oren Fannin.

“I urge voters to encourage their candidates to be there to state their platform and answer questions that are essential to the viability of this county,” Barner said.

The chamber, along with The Messenger, WTBF and Troy Cable, will sponsor the forum.

Steve Camp, executive director of Studio 52, said the event will be broadcast live over the radio and television, and it will be covered in The Messenger.

“This is the most widely distributed coverage of anything like this,” Camp said.

The debate will allow candidates to briefly state their platforms, and then they will be presented with a series of questions posed by moderators.

But, Barner said questions can be submitted by the public prior to the event by emailing to stacy.graning@troymessenger.com or jbarner@troycable.net.