Hendersonville alderman candidates will face questions on public safety, traffic and city finances at a town hall Tuesday, Sept. 29, in what organizers call the first forum of its kind in the city.

The Hendersonville Firefighters Association Local 3460 organized the event, set for 6 p.m. at Firefighters First Credit Union, 190 Saundersville Road. The association says it is the city's first public safety-focused candidate forum, as first reported by NewsChannel 5.

All six alderman wards are on the Nov. 3 ballot, each for a four-year term. Four of those races are contested, according to the candidate list the Sumner County Election Commission approved Sept. 8.

The contested races are Ward 1 (Afton Adams-Skidmore and Mark Burgdorf), Ward 2 (Keith Dennen and David Ramos), Ward 4 (Chris Gonzales and Vanessa Silkwood) and Ward 6 (Todd Kerr and Rob Reyburn). Bob Garza is running unopposed in Ward 3, and Garrett Kidd is unopposed in Ward 5.

Local 3460 President Matt Elliott said the number of open seats and new candidates prompted the forum. "We just felt it was a really good opportunity for them to answer questions specifically to public safety, but for other questions of concern to the city and the citizens," Elliott told NewsChannel 5.

Candidates will answer questions in a structured, nonpartisan format. Topics include growth and development, parks, city services and ward-specific concerns, in addition to public safety.

The forum is expected to last about two hours. Organizers plan to livestream it on the Hendersonville Firefighters Association Facebook page for residents who cannot attend in person.

Voters still have time to register. The deadline is Monday, Oct. 5, according to the Sumner County Election Commission. Early voting runs Oct. 14 through Oct. 29 at Hendersonville Community Church. The last day to request an absentee ballot is Saturday, Oct. 24. On Election Day, polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.