Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story mentioned a Congressional debate, tentatively scheduled for Sept. 25 at Stetson. That debate has been canceled, due to a scheduling conflict with one of the candidates.

 

Stetson University’s Center for Community Engagement and the Daytona Beach News-Journal are set to host a political debate that will feature candidates for Volusia County Council District 1.

Free and open to the public, the debate is part of Stetson’s continuing efforts to increase civic engagement and voter participation.

On Monday, Aug. 6, at 6:30 p.m., candidates for Volusia County Council District 1 will debate in Lee Chapel inside Elizabeth Hall at 421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand.

The debate will be moderated by Pat Rice, editor-in-chief of the Daytona Beach News-Journal, and will help voters prepare for the Aug. 28 primary election.

Candidates for the nonpartisan District 1 seat include incumbent Pat Patterson, and challengers Jeff Brower, Barbara Girtman and Eddie Molina.

According to the News-Journal, Jeff Brower is a farmer from DeLeon Springs with nine children. Barbara Girtman, a DeLand resident and real estate agent, currently serves as chairwoman of the West Volusia Hospital Authority. And Eddie Molina is a Stetson Executive MBA student and a DeLand resident who recently retired from the Army after 20 years of duty.

“There are many issues at stake in these elections for county and federal offices, ranging from the economy to public safety to the environment to immigration,” said Kevin Winchell, Stetson’s associate director for the Center for Community Engagement, who is helping to organize the debates. “Stetson University is proud to cosponsor this debate and increase the level of civil discourse to benefit the citizens of our campus and community.

“A healthy democracy requires informed and engaged citizens who understand the importance of using their vote to make the change they wish to see in their communities,” he said.

Other upcoming debates scheduled for the candidates for Volusia County Council include:

• At-large candidates will debate at Bethune-Cookman University’s Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, Aug. 7. The candidates are Ronald Durham and Ben Johnson.
• District 5 candidates will debate at the new Deltona Center on Thursday, Aug. 16. The candidates are incumbent Fred Lowry and challenger Dan Hunt.

Each debate will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and doors will open at each venue at 5:30 p.m., according to the News-Journal.