Concord Chamber of Commerce to host City Council candidates forum Sept. 30

CONCORD, CA—On Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce will host a Concord City Council Candidates’ Forum featuring representatives running for District 2.  The forum will take place via zoom starting at 5 pm.

Visit the Chamber website for information on how to join the free online forum.

Five candidates are vying for the District 2 seat. It will be the first election for incumbent Carlyn Obringer since the city changed to district elections in 2018. District 2 covers North Concord, including downtown, the North Concord BART station, Holbrook and Sun Terrace. The candidates are:

• Hope Johnson
• Harmesh Kumar
• Carlyn Obringer
• Tristan Piper
• Paul Wood

Forum schedule

5:00 – Zoom Opens
5:05 – Event Begins, Chamber opens
5:07 – Candidate Introductions – 2 minutes each. In the introductions, please touch on what in your background, training and experience qualifies you to set policy and direction for the city of Concord.
5:17-6:22 – Chamber Moderated Questions (Each candidate will have 1 minute to answer each question, the moderator will time each response)

1. What engagement have you had in civic affairs that prepares you to make decisions for the city?
2. What do you see as the most important issue you must face immediately and how will you plan to address that issue?
3. The city is facing a $14M deficit in the next year. How would you close the gap?
4. What is your position on Measure V?
5. The police budget being 57% of the City of Concord’s total budget. Would you change the allocation to policing and how?
6. In light of the state’s land use mandates, what role should the City of Concord play in closing the housing gap?
7. What is your vision for development of the Concord Naval Weapons Station and redevelopment of the northern waterfront?
8. What would you do to differentiate Concord from surrounding communities in attracting new business, retaining current businesses, and growing a local workforce?
9. Beyond the City of Concord providing the small business grant, how can the city further support businesses recovering from COVID-19?

6:22-6:45 – Audience moderated questions
6:45-6:50 – Closing Statements (1 minute each)
6:50-7:00 – Wrap up/Closing statements from Chamber

For more information, visit the Concord Chamber of Commerce sign up page: www.concordchamber.com/events/details/concord-city-council-candidates-forum-09-30-2020-8882

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