AUSTIN — The public is invited to attend an Austin mayoral and Mower County sheriff’s debate from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the KSMQ studio on the Riverland Community Colllege campus in Austin.

The debate is the production of the Austin Daily Herald and KSMQ-PBS TV.

Split into two segments, the initial stand-off is between mayoral candidates Tom Stiehm and Marian Clennon, taking place from 5 to 6 p.m. After a half-hour break, sheriff candidates Terese Amazi and Jeff Ellis will take to the podium for a debate that will last from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be time for attendees to visit with candidates after each debate.

Moderating the debate will be Austin Daily Herald Publisher Dave Churchill, who will present candidates with eight questions, along with time for rebuttals.

With highly contested issues surfacing in both campaigns, this one-night event will provide an opportunity for community members to see the candidates first-hand and hear how they stand on the issues.

The candidates will be presenting before a live audience made up of residents who will be going to the polls in less than two weeks.

The event will be aired on KSMQ-PBS TV throughout the week and will also be available for viewers at www.austindailyherald.com.

Contact Austin Daily Herald Digital Editor Trisha Marczak at 507-460-9755 to have questions answered.