The Jersey City Independent "

Today marks the first of several mayoral and council debates and forums scheduled prior to the May 12 municipal election. In addition, there are several school board candidate forums scheduled prior to that body’s election on April 21. Here’s the rundown thus far. We’ve been told of several other forums in the works — we will add them to this list and give you blog updates as they become confirmed.

- Today, April 1, at 1 pm: Mayoral candidates at the Loew’s Theatre (54 Journal Square). This debate will be broadcast later on Comcast channel 190, for those with fancy cable.

- Thursday, April 2, at 7 pm: The Heights Coalition hosts a forum for mayoral candidates at School 28 (167 Hancock Ave.).

- Thursday, April 2, at 7:30 pm: The Historic Paulus Hook Association hosts a forum for Ward E council and Board of Education candidates at Our Lady of Czestochowa Meeting Hall (120 Sussex St.).

- Saturday, April 4, at 1 pm: AARP Chapter 5102 hosts a info session with mayoral and Ward C and D council candidates at Abundant Joy Church (137 Bowers St.). We’ve been told by the organizer of this event that it will be prepared statements only — no questions will be taken from the audience.

- Tuesday, April 7, at 6:30 pm: Jersey City Families for Better Schools hosts a forum for school board candidates at Middle School 4 (107 Bright St.).

- Tuesday, April 14, at 7:30: The Riverview Neighborhood Association hosts a forum for all At-Large council candidates at its regular meeting at Harborview Health Center (178 Ogden Ave.).

- Thursday, April 16, at 6 pm: The MLK Drive Merchants Association hosts a forum for Ward F council candidates at the Mary McLeod Bethune Life Center (154 Martin Luther King Dr.).

- Thursday, April 16, at 7 pm: The Heights Coalition hosts a forum for Ward C and D council candidates at School 28 (167 Hancock Ave.).

- Monday, April 20, at 6 pm: The Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance hosts a mayoral debate at the Mary McLeod Bethune Life Center (140 Martin Luther King Dr.).

- Tuesday, April 21, at 7 pm: The Jersey City Affordable Housing Coalition and St. Peter’s College’s Sociology and Urban Studies Department host a mayoral forum focused on affordable housing at St. Peter’s College’s McIntyre Lounge (corner of Montgomery Street and JFK Boulevard).

- Wednesday, April 22, at 6:30 pm: The Game Face Group and the Jersey City Young Leaders Organization host a Ward F City Council candidates forum at the Fred W. Martin School (59 Wilkinson Ave.).

- Thursday, April 23, at 7:30 pm: The Downtown Coalition of Neighborhood Associations and Civic JC host a mayoral debate at Middle School 4 (107 Bright St.).

- Monday, May 4, at 6 pm: A community coalition hosts a forum for Ward F council candidates at the Lincoln High School auditorium (60 Crescent Ave.).

- Wednesday, May 6, at 7:30 pm: The Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association hosts a forum for Ward E council candidates at Cordero Elementary School (158 Erie St.).

- Thursday, May 7, at 7 pm: The Jersey City Independent and the West Bergen/Lincoln Park Neighborhood Coalition host a forum for Ward B council candidates at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (38 Duncan Ave.).

- Thursday, May 7, at 7:30 pm: The Historic Paulus Hook Association hosts a forum for At-Large council candidates at Our Lady of Czestochowa Meeting Hall (120 Sussex St.).

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