University to host ‘Green Talk’ forum with Columbia City Council candidates March 19

Candidates for Columbia City Council will participate in “Green Talk,” a University of South Carolina forum to discuss important environmental and conservation topics facing Columbia, Wednesday, March 19, in the Green Quad Learning Center for Sustainable Futures.

Organized by the university’s Green Quad and moderated by Dr. David Whiteman, Green Quad principal, the forum will get under way at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The learning center is located in the middle of Green Quad complex, at the corner of Sumter and Wheat streets. Parking is available on Sumter and Main streets and on the top level of the university’s Sumter Street parking garage.

Candidates Belinda Gergel, Cameron Runyan and Reed Swearingen have confirmed their attendance, with additional candidates expected to participate. Candidates will be asked to present their visions for the city’s future and the specific steps they will take to see that vision to fruition. District candidates will make remarks first, followed by at-large candidates.

The university’s Green (West) Quad residence hall is a living and learning community that incorporates sustainability into all aspects of its operations and serves as a model for sustainable living on campus and in the community. The Green Quad Learning Center for Sustainable Futures brings together faculty, staff and students and the community to offer programs that explore the changes required to create a sustainable society.

The March 19 “Green Talk” is co-sponsored by the Sierra Club.

For more information, contact Jason Craig, Green Quad program coordinator, at 803- 777-1994, or craigjd@gwm.sc.edu or Jessica Artz at 803-777-4565 or artz@gwm.sc.edu.

For more information on Green Quad, visit the Web site: www.greenquadcommunity.org/.