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The GFWC Tarrara Woman’s Club and The Coard Foundation will be hosting a candidate forum on Wednesday, Oct. 23, for those running for office in Boykins this year.

There are five seats available on the Boykins Town Council and seven candidates: Linda Beatty, Janice Boone, Dee Modlin Clary, Freddie Felts, Laura A. Parr, Robert “Chet” Poland and Nickolas B. Zinn.

The five seats will go to the five candidates receiving the most votes.

Cletis W. Lassiter is the lone candidate on the ballot running for mayor in Boykins.

Town Clerk Victoria Edwards said that of all the candidates, Felts is the only one who has said he will be unable to attend the forum due to a previous commitment.

Set to start at 7 p.m., the forum will be held at the Boykins Volunteer Fire Department, which is located at 18139 N. Railroad Ave. in Boykins.

Inga Francis will serve as the moderator.

Edwards noted that Lassiter will be given an opportunity to speak at the start of the event. Then each council candidate will be introduced and given six minutes to speak about their platform. Following this, the audience will ask the candidates questions.

Edwards encouraged town residents to come out to the forum for two important reasons.

“I believe fellowship is the key to a small-town community thriving,” she said. “Boykins has had so many new families move into town since the last election, and it is so easy to allow large spans of time to pass without getting out and meeting those that make up our community. I encourage our town citizens to take this opportunity to not only meet the candidates running for office but meet your new neighbors, too.”