A string of political forums are planned at various Lawrence County volunteer fire departments.

The forums will rotate through the volunteer fire departments and each will feature different candidates.

“We feel that the local elections are very important,” Monticello Fire Department Chief Lyle Berard said.

The purpose of the forums is to allow the residents of Lawrence County to interact with the candidates running for positions and to gather information in order to make informed decisions, he said.

The July 13 forum will feature candidates running for District 2 at the Sontag Fire Station. The forum scheduled for July 20 will feature candidates running for District 4 and will be held at the North Pleasant Fire Station.

The forum scheduled for July 27 will feature candidates running for District 3 and will be held at the Topeka Fire Station. The Aug. 3 forum will feature candidates running for District 5 at the Oakvale Fire Station.

“We want as much of the community there to help them make educated decisions,” Berard said.

Each forum will include anyone running in a county-wide race. Each fire station will have concessions available for purchase, along with a donation box. All proceeds will go to support that station. Times will be decided by each station.

“We’re just doing something to get people out to the fire stations,” Berard said.

Berard said the fire department hopes to have more community events at their stations in the future.

“I hope they get a better understanding of the fire departments,” Berard said. “I hope they see how it helps the community.”

For more information, call the Monticello Fire Department at 601-587-2721.

Story by Gracie Byrne