LAPLACE — Candidates for St. John the Baptist Parish president, sheriff and tax assessor have the opportunity to share their platforms directly with voters during forums scheduled in October.

Incumbent Parish President Natalie Robottom faces a stiff challenge this fall as a diverse group of five challengers are vying with her for the office.

Robottom is facing election challenges from Kent St. Amant, Daniel E. Becnel Jr., DeLisa R. Brown, Charles Julien and Terry Gene Lewis Sr.

Election day is Oct. 24, but voters can hear directly from parish president candidates at 6 p.m. Thursday when the St. John Business Association and Belle Terre Civic Association host the forum at Belle Terre Country Club in LaPlace.

The event begins with networking at 5:30 p.m., followed by the candidate forum at 6 p.m.

The St. John Sheriff and Tax Assessor candidate forum is Oct. 8 at the same location.

“The purpose of the forums is to provide an opportunity for citizens and businesses to get to know each candidate and become familiar with their positions prior to voting,” River Region Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chassity McComack said.

Victoria Ellender with Prebula Public Relations said the networking time is set aside so everyone has the opportunity to visit and talk casually.

“The forum will begin at 6 p.m., where each candidate is introduced and given two minutes to speak,” Ellender said, adding candidates will then be asked a series of prepared questions by four non-partisan mediators.

“The questions are prepared in advanced, and each candidate will be given approximately three minutes to answer. There will be two minutes provided for each candidate to give opening remarks and two minutes for closing remarks at the end.”

While the public is not permitted to ask candidates questions during the forum, they are invited to attend.

“It gives people a good opportunity to not only get to know the candidates better, but also to hear their positions on issues that impact the local community,” Ellender said.

The public forums should last an hour.

A St. James Parish President Candidates forum is planned Tuesday at the West Bank Reception Hall in Vacherie.

The Ormond Civic Association is partnering with the Chamber to present the St. Charles Parish candidates forum on Oct. 7 at Cypress Lake Country Club.

All of the candidate events begin with networking at 5:30 p.m. followed by the forum at 6 p.m.

Call at 985-359-9777 for more information.

— By Raquel Derganz Baker