Candidates for the 17th Congressional District will present their platforms at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Parryville Volunteer Fire Co. No. 2, Parryville.

Speaking will be Republicans Matt Connolly, Matthew Dietz, and David "Doc" Moylan, who are vying to face incumbent Democrat Matthew Cartwright in the November general election. There will be a question-and-answer session.On Tuesday, May 13, a forum of 17th District Congregational candidates will be held at the Lehighton American Legion, 314 Veterans Ave., Lehighton. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the forum will begin at 7.Cartwright has a previous commitment and will be represented by an aide. The Republican candidates will be present.The moderator will be Gloria Bowman, president of the Lehighton Area School Board. Panelists will be Ronald Rabenold, fifth-grade history teacher at Lehighton Area Middle School; Barbara A. Conway, Jim Thorpe School District superintendent; and James A. Shafer, retired administrator of Northern Lehigh School District.For additional information, call the Legion at 610-377-1549 or contact Harry J. Wynn III at 570-386-2188 or 484-464-3625, or email

dd0941@verizon.net.