Austin area voters have some tough choices ahead of them. Who is the best choice for mayor? For city council? County commissioner? School board? There are races for each of those offices and the competition is fierce, the choices difficult. An upcoming event will give voters a chance to fine-tune their decisions.

The Austin Chamber of Commerce is hosing a candidate forum beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Holiday Inn/Austin Conference Center. It’s a great opportunity to become better informed about many candidates in one sitting, as 19 are scheduled to participate. They include 2nd District commissioner candidates Ray Tucker and Polly Glynn, along with 1st District candidates Tim Gabrielson and Paul Fischer. School board candidates Richard Lees, Mary Jane Kestner, Carol McAlister, Don Leathers, Kathy Glowac and Bruce Quitmeyer are scheduled to participate as are mayoral candidates Tom Stiehm and Dick Lang. City council candidates are also scheduled to be there: 1st Ward’s Malcolm McDonald and Michael Jordahl, 2nd Ward’s Steve King and 3rd Ward’s Lynn Spainhower and Jeremy Carolan.

The forum is open to the public and includes breakfast. Cost is $7. Pre-registration is required by calling the Chamber at 437-4561. For anyone who is serious about casting a smart vote, it will be time well spent.