Upcoming Manatee County School Board forums: rapid-fire questions, pancakes, bowling

In the next two weeks you can catch candidates for the Manatee County School Board answer rapid-fire questions town-hall style, bowl and eat pancakes if that’s a factor in how you choose a candidate.

With the Aug. 30 primary quickly closing in, candidates in the two remaining contested school board races will participate in a variety of local forums and events. Here’s a rundown of some of the upcoming events.

▪ July 20: Restore Bayshore is hosting candidates at the Bayshore Gardens Rec Center, 6919 26th Street W., Bradenton, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Each candidate will introduce themselves, answer pre-selected questions and questions from the floor and then give a wrap-up speech.

Candidates for District 1: Xtavia Bailey, Gina Messenger, Linda Schaich and Ed Viltz.

Candidates for District 3: Charlie Conoley, Dave Miner and Misty Servia.

▪ July 21: Tiger Bay’s monthly meeting will be a rapid-fire town-hall style event, a break in the typical luncheon approach. The event starts at 11:30 a.m. at Pier 22, 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton).

Only registered Tiger Bay members are permitted to ask questions submitted ahead of time. The event will include Manatee County Commission candidates.

Confirmed candidates include County Commission District 1: Corie Holmes, Ron Reagan and Priscilla Whisenant Trace

County Commission District 5: Kathleen Grant

County Commission District 7 at-large: Jack Richardson

School Board District 1: Xtavia Bailey, Gina Messenger, Linda Schaich and Ed Viltz.

School Board District 3: Charlie Conoley and Misty Servia

▪ July 21: The Manatee County Young Republicans are hosting a bowling with the candidates event at AMF Bradenton Lanes, 4208 Cortez Road, Bradenton. Organizers invited all the Republican candidates. The event costs $30 for members and $45 for nonmembers and includes two hours of unlimited bowling starting at 6 p.m., shoe rental, pizza and soft drinks

Confirmed candidates include Manatee County Property Appraiser: Chester Bullock

Bradenton Mayor: Warren Merriman

Bradenton City Council Ward 1: Devon Carr Davis

Bradenton City Council Ward 5: Keenan Wooten

County Commission District 1: Corie Holmes, Ron Reagan

County Commission District 3: Stephen Jonsson

County Commission District 5: Kathleen Grant

School Board District 1: Gina Messenger

School Board District 3: Misty Servia

State Representative District 73: Steve Vernon

▪ July 30: The Parrish Civic Association is sponsoring a pancakes and politics breakfast, courtesy of the Manatee Sunrise Kiwanis Club, at 10 a.m. July 30 at the Florida Railroad Museum, 12210 83rd St. E., Parrish. County commission candidates for the Parrish area and school board candidates were invited. Parrish residents are encouraged to send questions to cotepaul44@gmail.com.

County Commission District 1: Corie Holmes, Ron Reagan and Priscilla Whisenant Trace

County Commission District 7 at-large: Betsy Benac and Jack Richardson

School Board District 1: Xtavia Bailey, Gina Messenger, Linda Schaich and Ed Viltz

School Board District 1: Charlie Conoley, Dave Miner and Misty Servia

School Board District 5: John Colon

This story was originally published July 15, 2016 at 9:02 PM.