Democracy now

CATO - Brittany Haskins and Brittaney Dornes didn't know much about politics or their community leaders; but that all changed last week.

Haskins, 17, and Dornes, 17, both of Cato, attended Cato-Meridian High School's Candidate Night Oct. 30, sponsored by the student council, during which 13 candidates running for public office delivered points from their campaign platforms, talked about their underlining motivations behind running, and gave some 50 students in attendance insight into the political process.

Thirteen chairs lined the span of the high school's cafeteria. Cato Highway Superintendent candidate Scott Myers sat on one end; then Ron Dennison, candidate for Cato Town Council; Conquest Town Supervisor candidate Daniel Hempel; Conquest Town Council candidate Barbara Decker; Cayuga County Legislature District 2 candidate Michael Chapman; Cato Town Council candidate Linda Chapman, and Cayuga County Clerk candidate Sue Dwyer.