Local citizens will hear updates on payday and auto title lending reform, fair and equal residential water rates and storm water fees during a Candidates Accountability Session on April 24 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church 1120 52 ^nd Street. Following presentations about the issues at the event, sponsored by West Texas Organizing Strategy (WTOS), candidates and current office holders for the positions of mayor and city council of Lubbock will share their stances on each.
 
WTOS is a non-partisan group composed primarily of volunteers that engages citizens to participate in their government in order to bring about change. Although WTOS is open to people of all beliefs, most of its active volunteers are leaders of local churches who represent concerns brought to them by members of their congregations.
 
The event will include presentations on payday lending reform by Most Reverend Plácido Rodríguez, Bishop of Lubbock, on storm water rates by Very Reverend Bill Anton and on fair and equal water rates by Rev. Davis Price.
 
At present, WTOS has position statements on three issues:
 
Payday and Auto Title Lending: We call on the mayor and city council to partner with WTOS to pass an ordinance regulating payday and auto title loan businesses in Lubbock.
 
Fair and Equal Residential Water Rates: We call on the mayor and city council to partner with WTOS to examine the residential rate structure to produce equitable water rates.
 
Storm Water Fees: We call on the mayor and city council to partner with WTOS to amend the storm water fees so that they are equitable and affordable to all.
 
The event is open to the public. For additional information about the Community Forum, please contact Dario Rendon at 806-319-2920.