Candidates to square off

Clutha's two mayoral candidates will face off for the first time outside the council chamber tonight as they seek to win the public's vote ahead of the local body elections in October.

Voters will have the chance to question Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan and deputy mayor Hamish Anderson at the South Otago Town and Country Club in Balclutha.

Roading, rates, and developing the district are tipped to be hot topics, as well as the upcoming $2.6 million main street upgrade in Balclutha.

Mr Cadogan hopes to return for a second term in office, while Mr Anderson hopes to win the top job after unsuccessfully standing in the 2010 elections.

The debate is the first in a series involving mayoral candidates across the region, and is organised by the Otago Daily Times and Otago Chamber of Commerce.

Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Christie said the forums were an opportunity for voters to hear from those who wanted to lead their communities and to ask them questions.

Such meetings were an important function of a democracy, as was the opportunity for anyone to stand for office.

Voters are encouraged to attend and put their questions to the pair.

The forum starts at 5.30pm at the South Otago Town and Country Club in Yarmouth St.

helena.dereus@odt.co.nz