Oswego Community Bank, Toastmasters Help Spread Word for April 5 Election

As the makes final preparations for its village president and village , two other organizations have stepped forward to help residents become better informed as they head to the ballot box on April 5.

Starting Friday,  will begin a series of informal meet-and-greet sessions at the bank for all Village Board and village president candidates on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings through March 25. Each session will last four hours and provide an opportunity for bank customers to learn where the candidates stand on the issues, said bank Vice President Joe Conforti.

"As a community bank we felt it was important to get the issues out there," he said.

This is the first year the bank has been host for the sessions. The idea came about after the bank heard resident input about hosting the forums, Conforti said.

The following is the list of dates (chosen randomly) for each trustee and village presidential candidate. Friday times are 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday times are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Scott Gryder (trustee) Friday
• Philip Smith (president) Saturday
• Brian LeClercq (president) Feb. 25
• David Richardson (trustee) Feb. 26

• Gail Johnson (trustee) March 4
• Karl Baumrucker (trustee) March 5
• Tony Giles (trustee) March 11
• David Schlaker (trustee) March 12
• Terry Michels (trustee) March 18
• Amanda Mancke (trustee) March 19
• Judy Sollinger (president) March 25

Meanwhile, the Oswego Toastmasters Club also has scheduled candidate forums for village president and trustee candidates. The forum for president is set for 7 p.m. March 10, and the trustee event is set for 7 p.m. March 16. Both forums will be held at the .

According to Toastmaster President Tony Hughes, all candidates have confirmed their participation. The public is invited to attend the forums and residents are encouraged to present questions for the candidates.

Send e-mail submissions to info@oswegotoastmasters.org. Questions also can be submitted in person on the night of the forums from 6 and 6:30 p.m.

The question-and-answer portion of the forums will last about 90 minutes with a 30-minute meet and greet to follow, Hughes said. Refreshments will be provided during this portion of the evening.