MURDOCK -- About 60 people -- one-third of them members of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2546 -- attended the first of two candidate forums sponsored by the Charlotte County League of Women Voters in the County Administrative Center.

Candidates for property appraiser, airport board, and three county commission seats participated in the first forum.  Candidates for sheriff and District 71 and 72 state representative seats took part in the second.

During the commission forum, the six candidates who attended were asked varied questions -- but all were queried about the pending proposed pact with phosphate giant Mosaic.

District 1 candidates Bob Starr and Ken Doherty agreed they would not sign the pact.  District 3 incumbent Tricia Duffy reiterated her support, while challenger Don Coppola repeated his outspoken opposition.  District 5 candidate Percy Angelo said she would "absolutely not" sign the pact while her opponent, Robert Skidmore, did not state his position one way or the other.

Jeremy Wilkerson, a Democratic candidate for the District 1 seat, did not attend.

FORUM ON TV

Wednesday's and Thursday's League of Women Voters candidate forums can be viewed in their entirety on Comcast Channel 20 on the following dates and times:

* Saturday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.

* Sunday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m.

* Friday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m.

* Monday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m.