Wauwatosa Mayoral Candidates to Square Off at Feb. 13 Forum

Wauwatosa residents who want to know where the mayoral candidates stand on the key issues facing the city will have the chance to find out firsthand at a forum set for 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at the .

All three candidates running in the Feb. 21 primary election — Peter Donegan, Kathy Ehley and John Pokrandt — have agreed to participate in the forum, which is co-sponsored by Wauwatosa Patch and the .

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Firefly Room of the library, 7635 W. North Ave.

The candidates will be allowed to make opening and closing statements, and also will field questions posed by audience members.

"I think it’s important for the chamber to make the candidates accessible so the electorate can make its own informed choice," said Therese Estness, interim executive director of the chamber.

"The Tosa Chamber is very mindful of creating a sense of community involving not only businesses, but neighborhoods as well," added Estness, a former Wauwatosa mayor. "It’s important to offer opportunities to get to know the candidates so people are making an informed choice on leadership that affects all of Wauwatosa."

Mark Maley, regional editor of Patch in Milwaukee, said the group of community websites is sponsoring similar forums throughout southeastern Wisconsin this spring.

"While we think it's crucial for Patch to report on the upcoming local elections and where the candidates on issues facing their communities, we think it's just as important for us to play a role in giving residents the ability to question candidates directly," said Maley, who will moderate the forum.

"This is an opportunity for voters to directly interact with the candidates and to pose the questions that are important to them," Maley added.

Residents who would like to ask questions of the candidates can do so at the Feb. 13 forum, or can submit them in advance by e-mailing mark.maley@patch.com.