Candidates plan to address education issues at Willmar, Minn., forum

WILLMAR -- Area legislative candidates will address education issues at a forum Thursday afternoon in Willmar.

Superintendents and school board members from the area have been invited to attend, and the forum is also open to the public. It will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at The Oaks on Eagle Creek in Willmar. It will be presented by the South West/West Central Service Cooperative of Willmar.

Candidates expected to attend include State Sen. Lyle Koenen, DFL-Clara City, and State Sen. Joe Gimse, R-Willmar, opponents in the redistricted Senate District 17.

Also expected to be there are Minnesota House District 17A candidates Rep. Andrew Falk, DFL-Murdock and Republican Tim Miller of Prinsburg.

Candididates in District 17B are also expected to attend. DFLer Mary Sawatzky of Willmar and Rep. Bruce Vogel, R-Willmar, have confirmed their attendance. Independence Party candidates Zachary Liebl of Willmar is unable to attend, because he will be in military training.

Candidates will make opening statements and then respond to education-related questions. They will also have an opportunity for closing statements.