Newton County citizens will have an opportunity to learn more about the candidates for Board of Commissioners District 1 and sheriff from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday at the Mansfield Community Center.

District 1 candidates John Douglas and John Strauss have confirmed their attendance, as have Republican candidates for sheriff, Philip Bradford and Bill Watterson, and Democratic incumbent Ezell Brown.

The Mansfield Women's Club will host the forum, and the moderator for the forum is local attorney Anthony Sandberg. Attendees will be provided with index cards to write questions they may have for the candidates. Sandberg will read each question to the candidates who will have two minutes to respond.

Light refreshments will be provided. All residents are welcome to attend.

"We want to educate the community, so they can make a wise decision on who they put in for office," said Mansfield Women's Club president Terri Skelton.

The club is not affiliated with any of the candidates.

"We are nonpolitical and charitable," Skelton said.

The Women's Club, which formed in January, has been actively involved in the community, recognizing that there are many families in need.

Every last Thursday of the month, the club goes to Repairers of The Breach Thrift in Covington to feed the homeless.

They also host a chili cookoff in town to raise money for the fire department.

According to Skelton, the next big event on their agenda is the fall festival.