If you have an issue you'd like your state senator to address, then consider coming to the Town Hall Grill to hear Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange, discuss her campaign.

Kinnaird is participating in "The Village Voice" forum, which is being hosted twice a month at the upscale sports bar in Southern Village.

The bimonthly forums feature local, statewide and national political candidates, or their representatives, who speak about issues and concerns facing the communities they represent.

Kinnaird will speak at 4 p.m. Monday July 14 about her re-election campaign. She is seeking the North Carolina Senate District 23 seat, which represents Orange and Person Counties.

The event sponsored by The North Carolina Center for Voter Education and MyNC.com

"The intent is to allow citizens to actually experience their candidate and elected officials in a way that is a little more (personal)," said Sandy Andrews, who is coordinating the event for Town Hall Grill. "A debate-style format often puts the candidate in a defensive position, so they can't really speak freely."

Anyone who would like to suggest topics for Kinnaird to speak about is encouraged to post comments at the bottom of this article.

The comments will be forwarded to Kinnaird in advance of her speech to give her an idea of what topics the community would like to hear about, Andrews said. Those who attend will also have an opportunity to ask questions at the end of Kinnaird's speech.

The event is open to the public but seating is limited. Anyone wishing to attend is encouraged to sign up by clicking the "online reservation" button at the top of The Town Hall Grill's Village Voice page. 

About Sen. Ellie Kinnaird (provided by her campaign):

Senator Ellie Kinnaird has been involved in civic and community activities since 1962. She has devoted her political life to issues of social justice and the environment. In 1987 Ellie Kinnaird was elected Mayor of Carrboro, North Carolina, serving four terms.  In 1996 she was elected to the North Carolina State Senate where she is currently serving her sixth term, representing Orange and Person Counties, where she continues to push for good jobs and better healthcare security, for further campaign and lobby reform, for effective improvements in our education system and for a safe and healthy environment. She is Co-Chair of Mental Health and Youth, Co-chair of Appropriations Justice and Public Safety and Vice-chair of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources.

Throughout her life, Ellie Kinnaird has been driven by a commitment to honesty, openness and fairness for all.  As a mother, grandmother, a teacher and a legal services attorney, Ellie know the demands on working families.  She takes that life experience with her every day in the State Senate to fight for issues that make a difference in the lives of the people in her district and in the State.

Ellie has received numerous awards during her time as State Senator including from the North Carolina Council of Churches, the Academy of Trial Lawyers, North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys and recognition achievement by the Sierra Club.  For more information, visit www.elliekinnaird.org.