Noble Neighbors to host election forums

Noble Neighbors will host two election forums this fall at Noble Road Presbyterian Church, 2780 Noble Road. The first, on Wednesday, Sept. 25, will feature candidates for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education and Cleveland Heights City Council. The second, on Wednesday, Oct. 2, will focus on proposed changes to Cleveland Heights’ form of government. Each forum will begin at 7 p.m.

Noble Neighbors forums are characterized by a few unique components. The audience is asked to agree to a social contract, a common expectation of one another intended to make the evening more productive. Audience members agree to refrain from responding to the candidates or the issue representatives throughout the presentations. No one applauds or makes any gesture or vocalization, either in support or disapproval of a candidate or representative's position. Past audience members have observed that this has allowed them to listen more easily, without distraction.

Candidates and issue representatives are sent questions two weeks in advance. Noble Neighbors is currently accepting suggested questions, which will help forum organizers settle on the most relevant questions. Suggestions may be submitted to nobleneighbors@gmail.com by Sept. 9.

While every candidacy and issue affects everyone in the school district or city, Noble Neighbors asks that candidates and issue representatives craft their responses to address the particular concerns of neighborhoods along Noble Road. Participants will have a chance to submit additional questions at the forums.

Parking will be available in the church's lot, across the street at Noble and Navahoe roads. The Kirkwood door of the church has a barrier-free entry and a chairlift to the upper-floor meeting space. A free-will offering will be taken at each forum to defray the costs of the host site.

More information on the Noble forums can be found at www.nobleneighbors.com. Voters will have additional opportunities to hear from candidates and issue representatives at forums sponsored by the Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland. For information on those forums, visit www.lwvgreatercleveland.org.