Smyrna Mayoral Candidates to Debate Thursday

The candidates vying for Mayor of Smyrna may be facing off against each other in a Thursday evening debate which is free and open to the public.

Candidates will appear at the Smyrna Community Center at 7 p.m. to answer citizens’ questions regarding the top issues facing the city.

Former councilman Wade Lnenicka, whose election campaign organized the event, is committed to participating in the debate, as is Alex Backry. Incumbent mayor Max Bacon’s attendance is not yet confirmed. Patch has reached out to the mayor to learn whether he will appear on Thursday.

Critics of the announced event want to know how a debate is possible when one of the candidates in the debate is the person organizing it, and are especially concerned that the late notice may preclude residents and even the mayor from participating in the debate.

“All candidates are invited to participate in this event and the audience members will ask the questions,” wrote the “Wade for Smyrna Mayor” account on the debate’s event page. “Wade is eager to answer your questions and speak directly with voters. We’re hopeful the other candidates will also take advantage of this opportunity to connect directly with the voters.”

Candidates are expected to touch on the city’s schools, ways of supporting local veterans, plans on attracting new businesses to the city, the future of the former Emory Adventist Hospital site, and the looming completion of both Google Fiber and the Atlanta Braves’ new stadium.

John Delves will moderate the debate, according to Lnenicka’s campaign.