By Albert Lea Tribune

Three candidates for Freeborn County sheriff will gather at Albert Lea City Hall on Wednesday for a debate, followed by the three candidates for the Ward 6 seat on the Albert Lea City Council.

The forum, organized by the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce governmental affairs committee, comes prior to the Aug. 12 primary election, where the three candidates in each race will be winnowed down to two. The debate begins at 7 p.m.

Incumbent Sheriff Bob Kindler, who won his first term four years ago, is being challenged by two deputies, Kurt Freitag and Dale Glazier.

Incumbent Councilor Al Brooks faces college student Sergio Salgado Jr. and credit union executive Matt Maras.

Each of the candidates will be given two minutes for an opening statement and one minute for a closing statement. The rest of the forum will consist of written questions supplied by audience members.

To submit a question, prior to the forum, please direct your email messages to alfccoc@albertlea.org. The governmental affairs committee members will be responsible for gathering and submitting the written questions.

KATE Radio, 1450 AM, will broadcast it live and the city government will air a taped version the following day over its cable channel.

Tim Engstrom, editor of the Albert Lea Tribune, will serve as panel moderator. He will read the questions submitted. Questions will be directed — unless otherwise indicated — on a rotation basis. All candidates will be allowed to answer if they so desire. Answers will be limited to one minute in order to address the greatest number of questions. Candidates will be given 30 seconds to respond to another’s answer if they desire.