Planning to vote in the Hanford City Council election but still undecided for whom to vote on Nov. 4? Come to the candidates forum hosted by the Hanford Chamber of Commerce and The Sentinel at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Hanford Civic Auditorium, 400 N. Douty St.

All four candidates running for District B and two of three candidates running for District C will answer questions read by Sierra Dimberg, Hanford West High School ASB president, and Dustin Castillo, Hanford High School ASB president. Dimberg and Castillo will ask questions chosen by the screening committee based on public input, but the audience will have an opportunity to submit questions that evening as well.

The four people running for District B are Jon-Michael Hice, Robin Mattos, John Murrisky and Sue Sorensen. In the District C race, Dan Chin, incumbent, faces two challengers, Mike Spicer and Richard Douglas. All the candidates except Douglas have confirmed their attendance Wednesday.

The forum will also provide information regarding all the ballot measures.

"We want it to be a grass-roots, informational forum," said Hope Morikawa, chamber CEO. "As a chamber in this community, we wanted to take a lead in that. It is imperative to know what the candidates are thinking not just their rhetoric, and make an informed decision.

"We hope the community will embrace this forum and take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions," Morikawa said.

Residents and chamber members are still allowed to submit input to the chamber as to what questions to ask the candidates during the forum until midday Wednesday. The forum will also have question cards available for the audience to fill out and submit during the event.

Here's some information about the candidates:

District B

Hice: The 31-year-old candidate is a school readiness coordinator for First 5 Kings County. Hice serves on the Kings County Association of Governments Social Service Transportation Advisory Council, Kings County Asthma Coalition, and Kings County Tobacco Free Partnership. He previously ran for the seat and was unsuccessful.

Mattos: The 48-year-old candidate is a consultant in economic development and disability rights and a farmer. She has been an outspoken city council watchdog. She has been part of the efforts to oppose Wal-Mart Supercenter, pressure the city to take back Courthouse Square from private hands, oppose west Hanford developments and oppose Hanford arsenic reduction plan.

Murrisky: The 61-year-old candidate is a registered nurse. The political novice is a member of the Kings County YMCA's Men Club, Hanford Breakfast Lions and Hanford Jaycees. He has served as a U.S. Army nurse and is a retired US Navy and retired Hanford Calif. National Guard reservist.

Sorensen: The 55-year-old candidate is a registered dental hygienist and a business owner. Sorensen was part of the campaign that successfully led to the passage of a $22 million bond for College of the Sequoia's Hanford campus. She has previously served on the Hanford Elementary School's board of trustees as well as the Hanford Joint Union High School District board of trustees. Currently, she serves on the Hanford Planning Commission.

District C

Chin: The 50-year-old is a two-term incumbent on the city council. The trophy shop businessman was named the Hanford Chamber of Commerce's Man of the Year this year. Chin has previously served on the Hanford Elementary School District board as well as the Planning Commission. He serves on the Kings Community Action Organization board and the Kings County Association of Governments.

Spicer: The 54-year-old candidate is regional security director for Kaiser Permanente in Fresno. A retired California Highway Patrol officer, Spicer has served in the Marine Corps, Navy Reserve and most recently in the Coast Guard Reserve. Between 2000-2004, he was on the Hanford Joint Union High \School District board. He has an MBA.

Douglas: The 54-year-old candidate is a driver for Family HealthCare Network. Douglas has a community service experience, including being a volunteer for the Hanford Christmas Parade and Homecoming Parade Committee and the Hanford Parks and Recreation Commission. He is also a member of the Kings County Fish and Game Commission and the Hanford Visitor Agency and while serving as a Avenal State Prison Community liaison.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

(Oct. 14, 2008)