Public BBQ and Candidate Forum

Description

AFSC􀁚1E Local 3968, the union represent­ing City of Yankton employees, will host a 
City of Yankton BBQ and Candidate Forum on Friday, Sept. 18, at Shelter 3 in Riverside 
Park. The event is free and open to the public. Food from Rick's S1noked Meats will be served beginning at 5 p.m., and the candi­date forum will begin at 6 p.m. 

The event comes ahead of the Nov. 3 mu­nicipal election, in which four candidates are competing for three open seats on the nine­ member Yankton City Commission. Candidates on the ballot are Ben Brunick, Brian J. Hunhoff, Sam Hummel, and Charlie Gross. Brunick and Hunhoff are current commissioners seeking re­election, Gross is a former commissioner and mayor, and Hummel is a first-time candidate. All four candidates have been invited, and Local 3968 welcomes each of them. 

"The City Commission makes the decisions that shape this community, from the budget to public safety to the streets and water systems we operate every day," said Jordan Deffenbaugh, Labor Representative for AFSCME Council 65. "City employees see the results of those decisions up dose. We want to help our neighbors get to know the people asking for their vote, so that every­one walks into the polls with a clear picture of who is running and what they stand for.• 

The forum format is designed to be direct and accessible. Each candidate will have 15 minutes to use as they see fit, whether presenting their priorities, taking questions from the audience, or both. Before and after the forum, attendees are encouraged to visit with the candidates one on one over a plate of barbecue. 

"This is not a debate with winners and losers," Deffenbaugh said. "It is a chance to sit down, share a meal, and have real conversations with the people who want to serve this city. Voter literacy starts with familiarity, and familiarity starts with showing up." 

While the event is organized and run by City employees, the entire community is invited to attend. Rick's Smoked Meats of Sioux Falls, will be on site with its food truck, and barbecue plates featuring pulled pork, brisket, and sides will be available for purchase.

Yankton residents must be registered with the Yankton County Auditor to vote in the City Commission election. Voters can check their registration status at sdsos. gov or by calling the County Auditor at 605-260-4400.