City of Hayden candidates for mayor and city council have committed to participating in a dual event early next month that will include fielding questions from the public.

Jason Ball, president of the senior center's board of directors, said Hayden Mayor Ron McIntire and his opponent in the November election, Nancy Lowery, will both attend the open political forum and fundraiser.

The night starts with fundraising.

Candidates will make phone calls to raise money for the center's senior nutrition program.

The fundraising event is being called "Kidnapped for a Cause," so those participating have to "raise a large ransom" to be freed from their "abductors."

Then the candidates will spend an hour fielding questions from the public, Ball said.

Kris LaMarr and opponent Tim Timmins, the candidates running for Lowery's seat on the council, which she is giving up after her term, will participate.

Hayden City Councilman Roger Saterfiel, who is running unopposed for another term, might attend, Ball said.

The event is scheduled for Nov. 3.

The fundraising component will run from 5-6 p.m., and the question-and-answer public forum goes from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Those wanting to ask questions of the candidates will be required to place bids.

"Seniors often get overlooked," Ball said. "They often don't get out in public."

The forum is a way of bringing the candidates in front of the seniors, he said.

The Hayden Senior Center is located at 9428 N. Government Way.

The center's senior nutrition program is funded with grants, fundraisers, and contributions from the city of Hayden.

"We're just having a competition to see who can raise the most" among the candidates and others who also are participating, Ball said.

Other non-elected Hayden city officials, including City Administrator Stefan Chatwin and Community Services Director Suzanne Cano, will also be there making phone calls and trying to raise funds.

"All they really have to do is show up with a list of contacts," Ball said.

He said the center will have volunteers ready who will make calls on behalf of candidates and city employees participating in the fundraiser.

Officials from the city of Hayden Lake also are scheduled to participate, including Mayor Nancy Morris, Ball said.