Colorado Candidates Forum
By Elnora M. Mercado
October 17, 2000

Pictures of Speakers

The Aurora Fox Arts Center was the venue for the Colorado Candidates Forum where local candidates for the November 7 election were presented.

The morning event was opened with cultural performances first by Japanese performers who played the ancient koto instruments, sang the sakura (cherry blossom song) and danced the fisherman’s dance. This was followed by Christy Wessler who sang the American national Anthem and her own composition. The Philippines was represented by the Filipino American Community of Colorado (FACC) Performance Group who performed four dances: Fan dance, Malong-Malong, Tinikling and the Binasuan.

Inspirational speakers inspired the audience followed by "Kids talk about politics."

Anita Khaldy, A.A.V.A. President, gave the welcome address where she read a beautiful poem about peace written by her nine-year-old son. She encouraged voters to get involved and vote on November 7.

The following candidates or their representatives spoke briefly about their issues and programs.

1. Michael Garcia (R) H.D. 42
2. Bob Borquez (D) S.D. 28
3. John Scipione H.D. 39
4. Scott Evans S.D. 27
5. Mike Coffman, Colorado State Treasurer, campaigned for George W. Bush
6. Jared Polis (D) Colorado State Board of Education
7. Paula Busey *D) H.D. 37
8. Suzanne Williams H.D. 41
9. Debbie Stafford (R) H.D. 40
10. John Andrews ( R) S.D. 27 running for reelection
11. Scott Shires ® H.D. 41
12. Frank Weddig H.D. 43
13. Andrew Romanoff (D) H.D. 9
14. Carolyn Bowler campaigned for Al Gore
15. Ken Toltz (D) H.D. 6
16. Ron Schindler (R) H.D. 42
17. Bob Hagedorn (D) S.D. 29
18. Bruce Wilcox II (R) H.D. 25

Other speakers followed, each describing the activities of their organizations.

:John Zakhem
Margaret Foster - Grandparents.
Dean Mark Montgomery - U.N. Model, University of Denver
Melodye Feldman - Building Bridges for Peace
Mandy Yick - Asian American Bar Association
Catherine Fogg - Democratic National Committee
Brenda Hilliard - B.P.W.
Donna LaVigne - Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership.
John Wright, Executive Director of the Asian Chamber of Commerce
Manu Raval - Asian RoundTable of Colorado

The afternoon session was concluded with a celebration of the 131^st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as Peace Day jointly sponsored by the Asian Roundtable of Colorado (ART), The India Association of Colorado (IAC) and the Asian American Voters Association (AAVA). After a welcome speech by ART President Manu Raval, inter-faith prayers were said followed by speeches on the life and work of the great man alternated with devotional songs. Gloria Williams, ART Secretary, gave a vote of thanks.