For Immediate Release
Contact: Kristin Tutino, (585) 258-0253

VOICE OF THE VOTER INVITES ROCHESTERIANS TO SHARE THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AT AN OPEN FORUM
Wednesday, July 25, 6:30 p.m. at MCC Damon City Campus

Rochester, New York (June 27, 2007) – WXXI, The Democrat and Chronicle, 13 WHAM TV and WDKX 103.9 FM, collaborators of the Voice of the Voter (VOV) project designed to engage citizens in the political process, invite citizens to participate in an open forum on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at MCC Damon City Campus, 4th floor. Participants will share their concerns about local government before an audience of news editors and directors, as well as a group of engaged citizens who will be questioning local political candidates during upcoming debates and forums. WDKX radio personality Tariq Spence and WHAM-TV reporter Liz Medhin will moderate. To pre-register for the citizen’s forum, call (585) 258-0250 or email vov@wxxi.org.
            VOV was formed in the mid 1990s in an effort to offer a forum in which regular citizens could deliberate and discuss issues that affect them. Each spring VOV participants begin meeting monthly to determine what local, state, and national issues are most important to them and their families. Issue polls often serve as the starting point for VOV deliberations. The collaborators then facilitate access to candidates and lawmakers by putting these decision-makers in community forums—many of which are broadcast on television and radio. Candidates and lawmakers benefit from hearing the concerns and questions of the community.
VOV is supported in part by Rochester Area Community Foundation. To learn more, visit WXXI.org/vov.

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