NORTHAMPTON — Young people will be hosting a public forum for candidates in contested City Council elections.
The Northampton Youth Commission will be asking questions of City Council hopefuls in all three competitive races on Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Northampton High School auditorium.
Ward 1 candidates are Andrew Smith and Michael Quinlan, Ward 5 candidates are David Murphy and Alex Jarrett, and Ward 7 candidates are Penny Geis and Rachel Maiore.
Organizers plan to discuss climate change and the possibility of lowering the municipal voting age to 16, among other issues.
“In a time when the climate crisis, a dying social safety net, and lack of education funding threaten the wellbeing of future generations, our progressive city has a real opportunity to lead the country toward a survivable future,” Noah Kassis, chairperson of the Youth Commission, said in a statement. “It’s crucial that young people — members of the most susceptible generation — have a strong voice in what our city’s leadership looks like.”
Questions will come from the audience and youth groups sponsoring the event — such as Sunrise Northampton and Northampton High School Democrats.
Greta Jochem can be reached at gjochem@gazettenet.com.