Hangar 9 was sparsely populated Monday evening as Lance Jack finished organizing an array of food by the pool table at the start of the “Hangin’ with the Candidates” event.

“We’re on a casual schedule,” Jack said in the nearly empty bar.

As the night progressed, the bar became crowded as city council and mayoral candidates alike gathered to mingle with the public over food, drinks and live music. The event was organized by Jack, and was held four years ago during his last run for city council. All candidates were invited to attend.

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More than forty people came to the bar for a chance to meet the candidates and discuss issues important to the public.

“This is the first opportunity for me to meet people and for people to question me,” Elizabeth Lewin, a city council candidate, said.

Lewin was one of five council candidates to make an appearance at the event. There are seven running altogether. She said holding “Hangin’ with the Candidates” at Hangar 9 allowed her to be in an environment that she is never in, and helped her become more accessible to the community.

“I need to come out and be where people will be,” Lewin said. “I’m usually either sitting behind a desk or in church.”

City council candidate Luanne Brown said the night gave her a chance to get in touch with people who aren’t in her age group and she normally wouldn’t be able to connect with.

“I hope a whole bunch of people come out and tell us what’s wrong with the community and what needs to be changed,” she said.

Brown said Hangar 9 hosts a crowd she isn’t a part of, but gave her an opportunity to hear from the public.

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Part of that public was Lilly Crane, a Jackson County resident for 40 years who moved to Carbondale from Makanda six years ago. She said her greatest community concern is the Smoke Free Carbondale initiative to help with people’s health. However, her main reason for attending the event was to gather with the candidates.

“I’m here to meet some of the candidates so I know them by face, not just by name,” Crane said.

Some students also attended “Hangin’ with the Candidates” for a chance to be involved in the local political scene. Pete Lucas said he is looking for a candidate who is invested in student interests.

Lucas, a nontraditional freshman studying physiology, moved to Carbondale in June expecting to experience a small “main street” town. Instead he said he sees too much development not within walking distance and too many empty buildings downtown.

“A town should be more than just bars up and down the Strip,” he said.

Even though he doesn’t know any southern Illinois politics, Lucas recently became a deputy registrar in Jackson County because he believes it is important to vote and be involved in the political process.

“I think everyone should get involved, get out there and vote and get themselves heard,” he said.

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