As election time nears, candidates are discussing their platforms and some are challenging their rivals to debates to educate people about how they stand on issues.

On Aug. 11, Democrat Linda Finn, running for the office of DeKalb County Circuit Clerk, challenged Republican incumbent Maureen Josh to several debates on the accountibility of the circuit clerk’s office.

Josh said she would debate Finn, “but not on her (Finn’s) terms.” She said, “She (Finn) has particular ideas where and when to debate.” Josh said Finn also wanted to determine how many debates should be scheduled and Finn wanted to designate the forum.

Finn said, “I did want to debate.” In a letter Finn sent Josh requesting the debate she stated, “The reason for a debate should be clear. Debate provides a forum for public education.

“Accountability for the future will be ensured by public debate and this issue alone carries great importance to the residents of DeKalb County,” the letter stated.

Josh said she would debate in the usual forums provided by local groups. She said WLBK Party Line and the League of Women Voters are two of several organizations that sponsor forums for different races.

Forums for the circuit clerk have not been scheduled yet, Josh said. The circuit clerk’s forum should take place sometime in October because it is usually one of the last forums to be scheduled, she said.

Josh said time restraints are a factor in her refusal to debate Finn in anything other than the usual forums. She said she has a full-time job and does not want to become involved with additional debates.

Finn said, “As an alternative to the debates I will discuss my platform at several town meetings.” She said three have been arranged which will take place in DeKalb, Genoa and Sandwich.

The first meeting will be Sept. 20 in the Genoa Council Chambers, 113 S. Genoa, Genoa at 7 p.m. Budget management and capital investments will be covered at this meeting, Finn said.

Sept. 27 is the date for the second meeting, to be held in DeKalb at 7 p.m. However, the location has not been determined yet and will be announced at a later date, she said.

The final town meeting will take place Oct. 4 at the Sandwich Opera House in Sandwich, also scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. At the DeKalb and the Sandwich meetings, Finn said she will discuss topics related to legislative mandates, personnel development and management and community services.

All three meetings will be led by a panel of media to discuss each topic, Finn said. The meetings also will contain a presentation of Finn’s qualifications and her goals for the office, she said.

Finn drew up an outline of the duties of the circuit clerk which states, “The office of the circuit clerk of DeKalb County serves the Court of the sixteenth Judicial Court, which includes DeKalb, Kendall and Kane counties.”

Four divisions comprise the office, including traffic and criminal, probate, child support and general/civil divisions, it states.

The outline stated the office has several responsibilities such as collecting fees and fines for child support, alimony and traffic and criminal cases.

Citations, notices and summons for services to the sheriff and subpoenas for a trial witness must be issued, it stated. The office draws and summons jurors and receives and processes paperwork regarding jurors.