We have been doing several things in the runup to the elections on the 6 November. We have and continue to do doorknocking for Mike Klimesh in the Decorah area. We, along with Luther College, were going to sponsor a candidates debate to be held at Luther College on the 2 October, for the First Congressional District, Iowa House District 55 and Iowa Senate District 28. Everything was all set when one of the candidates suggested involving the American Association of University Women to make the event less ”partisan”. We graciously agreed and invited the AAUW to be a sponsor only to be backstabbed by them. They called us too partisan to work with, used their influence with the college to get them to drop out citing that we were somehow treading on their sacred ground and then used what we had already set up to run their own forum. I published a letter to the editor in the Decorah Newspaper’s Opinion section if you wish to learn more on the story. Not to be deterred, one of our members, Arlan Paulson, has set up an issues forum for the 8 October, starting at 6:30p.m. at the community center in Ossian, Iowa. This is the kind of individual commitment we need if we are going to change things. The NEITP has also scheduled two actual debates on the 18 and 23 of October at the Oaks Steakhouse in Decorah, both starting at 7:00p.m. They will feature Mike Klimesh and Roger Thomas, candidates for Iowa House District 55, at one and John Beard and Mike Brietsbach, candidates for Iowa Senate District 28 at the other. Candidates were sent five questions last month to be used at the debate and will each be given ten minutes to express their opinions, defend their views and actual debate their opponent. The event wil be moderated by Bob Holtan from KDEC radio and is scheduled to be broadcast live on the night of the events. I will also be trying to arrange a question and answer forum for the three candiates for my local supervisors district if I can find the time. That is all for now, please plan to attend these events and bring friends with you as this is all part of having an informed electorate.