Clayton News Daily

By Justin Boron

Riverdale citizens will get a chance to see their city council candidates in action Wednesday night in the first of a series of public forums for each upcoming city election.

The forums are being hosted by the Clayton County Branch of the NAACP as part of an effort to inform the citizens about the character and stances of the people they are electing, said Dexter Matthews, the organization's local president.

He said the group often hears complaints about the decisions that elected officials make. By introducing the candidates to the community, Matthews said he hopes to give people the knowledge they need to make a sound decision at the polls.

“I get tired of hearing people say, ‘I didn't know who to vote for,'” he said.

In Riverdale, Councilman Rick Scoggins is running against Cynthia Stamps-Jones, a school counselor.

Councilwoman Wanda Wallace is running against Stephanie Campbell, a project coordinator.

All of the city's registered voters are eligible for the election since council members are elected at-large.

Matthews said all candidates were invited to the forum. He said his organization doesn't endorse any of the candidates.

The following is a schedule of the forums.

Riverdale- October 26 Wednesday 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

City Hall 6690 Church Street, Riverdale

Lake City- Thursday October 27 6 to 7:15 p.m.

Old City Hall community room 5535 North Parkway, Lake City

Jonesboro- Friday October 28 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Jonesboro Fire Dept. Community room, 264 N. Main St., Jonesboro

Morrow- Wednesday November 2 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

City Hall community room, 1500 Morrow Road, Morrow

Forest Park- Thursday November 3, 2005 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Forest Chapel Baptist Church 5150, Whatley Drive, Forest Park