Incumbent Lea Markowski has held the seat for one year since it became vacant when Steve Gawron became the mayor last summer. The other seat is vacant, as Sue Weirengo declined to run again.
Wednesday’s event, put on by the Neighborhood Associations of Muskegon, will be followed up by a second “meet the candidates” style event on July 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Muskegon Community College.
While its subject matter initially focused on economic benefits, a meeting Monday night on the possible relocation of the Muskegon Farmers Market evolved into discussions about accessibility.
Feedback will strongly affect the board’s final decision at placement on the ballot. Community opinion surveys will be mailed out to members of the public as well this spring. Further community forums would be held in the spring, with the college planning to use that feedback to decide whether or not to place the measure on the November ballot.