Update: The forum planned by John Ridley has been scrapped and will be rescheduled. For more details, click here. 

People wondering who to vote for in the Nov. 3 elections will have plenty of opportunities to hear the candidates speak.

Decatur has several forums planned, including an unusual forum organized by one of the candidates: John Ridley.

Ridley is running for the at-large seat on the commission being vacated by Mayor Jim Baskett. He is running on the premise that Decatur should have an elected mayor. Currently, the mayor is chosen by fellow commissioners.

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He has tentatively set an Oct. 11 date at his forum, which will be held at Decatur High School. Ridley has loaned his campaign $100,000 and is paying for the facility rental to hold the forum. Initially, his idea met with resistance because it conflicted with an Oct. 12 forum planned by the Downtown Decatur Neighbors. Ridley agreed to pick a different day.

If the forum goes forward it will be held Oct. 11, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Decatur High School auditorium, located at 310 N McDonough St, Decatur, GA.

Ridley says his forum will provide all candidates, including himself, an equal opportunity to weigh in on the issues.

“Rules should apply to all fairly and equally,” Ridley said via email. “I have asked Commissioner Bill Bolling to serve as moderator since he is a well known member of the community, has facilitated candidate forums in the past, and is not a candidate for office.”

Other candidate forums planned in Decatur include …

– Downtown Decatur Neighbors Forum, Monday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA 30030

– Winnona Park Neighborhood Forum, Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. at Winnona Park Elementary School, 510 Avery St, Decatur, GA 30030

– Oakhurst Presbyterian Forum, Sunday, Oct. 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Oakhurst Presbyterian, located at 118 Second Ave NE, Decatur, GA 30030

– Decatur Heights Neighborhood Association Forum, tentatively planned for Oct. 25. Details will be announced at a later time.

There are at least two forums planned in Avondale Estates.

– The city will host a forum on Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Avondale Estates City Hall, located at 21 North Avondale Plaza, Avondale Estates.

– A group called “Second Century Avondale” will also be hosting a candidates forum on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Avondale Estates Community Club, located at 59 Lakeshore Dr, Avondale Estates.

Did we leave a forum out? Please let us know by emailing us: [email protected]

Editor’s note: Decaturish will make an effort to cover all of the forums listed. Our paid subscribers, who contribute $6 a month, help us to provide coverage of community forums and other events. Additionally, readers can assist us by making a one-time contribution. To become a subscriber, click here. To make a one-time contribution, click here. 

Candidates who wish to purchase advertising on Decaturish.com may contact our ad sales director, Jeff Cochran, at [email protected]. Decaturish will not be making any endorsements in the Nov. 3 elections.