The opening of the Surry County fair won’t be the only “game” in town tonight — there also will be a political forum at the Andy Griffith Playhouse involving Mount Airy election candidates.

“From all indications, we’re expecting a very good crowd,” said Betty Ann Collins, president of the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, the sponsor of the forum that starts at 7 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

“A couple of years ago when we hosted an earlier forum, we had well over 100 people in attendance,” Collins added Monday. “We would like to see more this year.”

That is a likely scenario due to the presence of a hotly contested mayor’s race in the 2009 election with four people vying for the city’s top job, Gene Clark, Deborah Cochran, Paul Eich and Teresa Lewis

All those candidates are expected to be in attendance tonight along with two others who are running for council positions, incumbent Commissioner Jon Cawley of the North Ward and Stephen Yokeley in the South Ward. Although both are unopposed in the Nov. 3 general election, tonight’s forum will allow their exposure as well.

The event is aimed at educating voters by providing an opportunity to become familiar with all the office-seekers, including their qualifications and positions on city government issues.

It is coming one week before a mayoral primary involving the four candidates in which only two will emerge and oppose each other in November.

While pointing out that the chamber does not endorse any particular candidate for elected office, Collins said, “Is it not wonderful that we have so many people interested in serving this community?”

She added that it is hoped tonight’s event enables citizens to come away with a better understanding of the candidates, who’ll respond to a series of questions.

The forum is being coordinated by the Public Policy Division of the chamber. Raynelle Hamblin, the vice chair of the division, will offer welcoming remarks and introductions of the candidates tonight.

Moderators for the forum will be George Sappenfield, chairman of the chamber governing board, and Greg Perkins, past chairman.

Debate Is Tentative

After tonight’s forum, another event is tentatively planned in October, which would be a debate between the two top vote-getters in next week’s primary.

“We are looking at Oct. 13,” Collins said, explaining that details are still being worked out with the Surry Arts Council for use of the playhouse facilities.

The chamber official said the potential debate represents a chance “to hold something a little bit more spirited” between mayoral candidates who would be going head to head on the issues.

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.