Update 9/24/09: Podcasts of debates added below.

To help voters decide who to pick in the upcoming November elections, a trifecta of Santa Clarita Valley media – KHTS AM 1220, The Signal newspaper and SCVTV – have organized two candidate forums.

The first was held Wednesday night in the Newhall studios of SCVTV and involved candidates for the College of the Canyons and the Newhall County Water District.

A second forum involving candidates for the Hart District and Newhall District is being scheduled for later this month.

Participating in Wednesday’s forum were COC candidates financial advisor Mike Berger and attorney Brian Koegle, who are running for the Office 1 seat, currently held by Ernie Tichenor. Also running for that seat, but unable to attend, were Robyn Bryce and John Dortsch. Candidates for Office 3, which is currently held by Joan McGregor, are McGregor and Randy Moberg; both were in attendance.

The COC forum covered questions (posed by Signal Editor Lila Littlejohn and KHTS News Director Carol Rock) on guiding the college through the current budget crisis, increasing enrollment, future priorities for the college and bridging the education gap between high school and community college.

Newhall County Water Board candidates participating included incumbents B.J. Atkins and Maria Gutzeit and challenger Michael Cruz. Candidate Kathryn Colley was unable to attend.

Queries of the water board candidates focused on adequate water supply for future development; fiscal responsibility of the customers, water conservation measures, annexation and aging infrastructure (i.e., pipes and sinkholes).

Forums in their entirety will be aired on KHTS AM1220 (dates and times will be announced on hometownstation.com as soon as they are set) and podcast on hometownstation.com and the-signal.com. The video presentation of the forums will also be available on SCVTV Time Warner Channel 20 and ATT U-verse Channel 99, or online at SCVTV.com.

COC- {enclose debatecoc110309_1.mp3}

NCWD- {enclose debatencwd.mp3}

Photos by Francisca Rivas/Courtesy The Signal