REMINDER: Cedar Rapids mayoral candidate forum is Tuesday

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Gazette is partnering with CBS 2 and FOX 28 to host a mayoral candidate forum from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in Whipple Auditorium at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE.

Brad Hart and Monica Vernon were the top two vote-getters among eight candidates on Nov. 7 and are now competing in a runoff election set for Dec. 5.

The forum will include one-on-one interviews, an issues lightning round and moderated question-and-answer session.

The forum is free to the public, but registration is required at

thegazette.com/crmayor. Seating capacity in Whipple Auditorium is limited to 200 people, but an overflow room has been reserved in Beems B at the library.

The public is invited to submit questions that may be used during the forum. To submit questions, go to thegazette.com/local-government/submit-your-questions-for-tuesdays-mayoral-candidate-forum/. In addition to submitting questions, you also can view other submitted questions and show support for those questions by clicking 'thumbs up.”

Vernon, 60, is a former Cedar Rapids City Council Mayor Pro Tem. She was the top vote-getter on Election Day, receiving 5,352 votes, or 30.34 percent.

Hart, 61, is a lawyer with Bradley & Riley. He garnered 3,593 votes on Election Day, or 20.37 percent.

Vernon and Hart both have listed street repairs, securing flood protection and economy and job creation as top priorities.

The new mayor will replace Mayor Ron Corbett, who did not seek re-election as he instead runs for governor. The new mayor will lead a nine-member council that will see at least four new faces Jan. 2 when new four-year terms begin.

The part-time mayor position pays $35,378.46 this year.

Tuesday's forum will be streamed live at thegazette.com.