Local candidate meet-and-greet answers voter questions

PEORIA (25 News Now) - Local consolidated elections are a month away. Ahead of voters casting their ballots, candidates are taking time to connect with voters.

Saturday afternoon, Peoria Friendship House hosted a ‘Meet the Candidates’ event. Those running for Peoria City Council and Park District were there to address any concerns voters might have. Ten candidates are on the ticket for City Council, while four are running for Park District positions.

Park Board president Brian Johnson decided to collaborate with candidates to help create interactions between voters and those on the ballot they may not have otherwise.

“It’s easy to see someone on the TV screen and say, ‘Hey, I voted for them,’ and it’s different thing to sit down at a table with them and share a meal,” says event organizer Brian Yarbrough. “You get a chance to talk to them about things that are on your mind that they may never hear of.”

All candidates were invited to attend the event. Some who weren’t able to make it had representatives go in their place to help answer questions from voters.