Gillies and Tolley set as hosts for Saturday's Headline Surfer debates at NSB Brannon Center

Posted Mon, 2012-07-16 19:34

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Political bloggers Sally Gillies and Bob Tolley have stepped up to the plate by agreeing to serve as hosts for Saturday's 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. political debates sponsored by Headline Surfer at the Brannon Center. These debates will be videotaped and posted on HeadlineSurfer.com.

The public is welcomed to attend and encouraged to participate in eight separate debates during the day-long program.

Funding for the Headline Surfer debates has been partially underwritten by Norwoods Restaurant & Wine Shop.

As editor and publisher of Headline Surfer, I will serve as the moderator for the candidates during the initial Q&A after those in attendance are welcomed by Gillies, a political blogger for Headline Surfer and of her own political insider blog, Sally Gillies.net, and Tolley, whose political blog appears on Headline Surfer as well. Gillies and Tolley are also regular contributors along with Stan Escudero on our weekly news and public affairs show, "The Roundtable."

Gillies and Tolley will help with audience participation with the candidates and then I will finish up with candidate closings for each race. The audience participation is especially endearing to Tolley, who three years ago partnered up with Headline Surfer with his Public Watch Committee. The PWC espouses "open government by the people for the people."

Headline Surfer is working on arranging two more debates during the week of Aug. 1-4 or later, if necessary, prior to the Aug. 14 primary in greater Daytona Beach and in greater DeLand/Deltona.

The candidates are welcomed to have campaign posters, signs, brochures, balloons or other related materials, but they will be relegated to the back of the meeting of the meeting hall. Any member of the public wishing to ask questions will be required to give their full name and community where they reside for the record.

Here is the line-up for Saturday's Brannon Center debates, including approximate times:

1st debate: 9 to 9:40 a.m.

Office: New Smyrna Beach City Commission, zone 4 Candidates: Ed Bidault Jr., Steve Casserly and Kirk Jones

2nd debate: 9:50 to 11:20 a.m.

Office: Volusia County Council, dist. 3 Candidates: Deb Denys, Jim Hathaway and Justin Kennedy

3rd debate: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Office: Volusia County Chair Candidates: Jason Davis, Ted Doran and Carl Persis

4th debate: 1:10 to 2 p.m.

Office: Supervisor of Elections Candidates: Teresa Apgar, Beaulah Blanks, Christopher Kelly and incumbent Ann McFall

* McFall has informed Headline Surfer she will not participate in the debate, stating she has to attend to her official duties

5th debate:

2:10 to 2:25 p.m.

Office: group 8 County Judge Candidates: incumbent Bryan A. Feigenbaum and Michael McDermott

6th debate: 2:30 to 2:50 p.m.

Office: County Judge, group 4 Candidates: Steven R. Burk, Dustin M. Havens, Alan Holt, Christopher Kelly and Adam Warren

7th debate: 2:55 to 3:50 p.m.

Office: Clerk of the Circuit Court Candidates: Steve deLaroche and incumbent Diane Matousek

8th debate: 4 to 5 p.m.

Office: State Attorney Candidates: incumbent R.J. Larizza and Stasia Warren

About the Blogger

Henry Frederick is editor/publisher of Headline Surfer, Florida's first 24/7 Internet newspaper, launched April 7, 2008 in New Smyrna Beach, and accessed via HeadlineSurfer.com, NSBNews.net & VolusiaNews.net. Headline Surfer is a registered trademark of NSB News LLC. Frederick was the top winner in the 2012 Florida Press Club contest: 1st place for Blog Writing & 3rd place each for General News Writing, Public Safety Reporting & Best Online Presence (with social media). He's received 18 major journalism awards as a breaking news, investigative reporter & city editor for daily newspapers in Florida, Massachusetts, New York & Connecticut since the mid-1980s.
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