Two more Manteca City Council candidates in the Nov. 8 election are planning meet and greet events.
Ben Cantu’s event is Sunday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 829 Mellon Avenue next to Weber’s BBQ.
David Cushman’s meet and greet is Thursday, Sept. 22, starting at 6 p.m. at Angelano’s Restaurant at 1020 North Main.
The two free events that are open to the public will sandwich the Manteca Chamber of Commerce candidates’ forum featuring five of the six council candidates, State Assembly hopefuls, and the candidates for San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors at the Emory Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 20, from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m.  It is open to the general public. The $10 ticket includes lunch.
Tickets are available at the chamber office next door to the Oak Valley Community Bank at the corner of North and Main streets. More information is available by calling the chamber at 823.6121.
Cantu’s Sept. 18 gathering featuring watermelon and Famous Casper Hot Dogs. Cantu would appreciate RSVPs by Sept. 16 to assure adequate food for guests for the event dubbed “Make Manteca First.” The RSVP can be made by calling 209.679.5204.
Cantu has nearly 30 years as a planner for the City of Manteca. He established his own planning services business after retiring. He is involved in several community endeavors including Manteca Kiwanis and the Tidewater Southern Railway Club.
The Sept. 22 event for Cushman comes on the heels of his first online town hall in July. More than 600 people on Facebook tuned in for the event. Many of the viewers participated in the town hall by asking questions of the candidate. Cushman addressed topics such as the homeless situation, securing affordable housing in Manteca, and revitalizing Downtown and small businesses.
Dinner will be provided by Angelano’s Restaurant. The event is free and open to all members of the public.
Cushman is a lifelong resident of Manteca. He graduated from Manteca High School in 2010, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from CSU Stanislaus in 2015. He has volunteered with the Manteca Historical Society and his church, Cornerstone Community Church. He is currently the chairman of the Manteca Tea Party Patriots, a local conservative political group. He and his wife Genevie reside in Manteca.
Cushman and Cantu along with hopefuls Gary Singh, Eric Hayes, and Jeff Zellner are participating in the chamber forum on Sept. 20. Incumbent Debby Moorhead is unable to attend due to a work conflict. Voters will elect two candidates on Nov. 8.
The chamber forum also will include Assembly candidates Heath Flora and Ken Vogel as well as San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors hopefuls Moses Zapian and Tom Patti.
The supervisor district includes Manteca north of Yosemite Avenue, all of Lathrop, the Delta and Stockton’s northwest neighborhoods.