The 2008 municipal elections are setting up to be some of the most interesting in recent memory.

At least four Shelby County cities will have new leaders come Aug. 26.

Calera Mayor George Roy, Montevallo Mayor Sharon Anderson, Pelham Mayor Bobby Hayes and Vincent Mayor Terry Allen didn’t seek reelection.

Six incumbents in Alabaster, Chelsea, Columbiana, Westover, Wilsonville and Wilton face new challengers.

To help voters familiarize themselves with all the candidates seeking office, 10 election forums will be held all over the county next month.

The forums will be hosted in each community where there is opposition for mayor.

The Calera Chamber of Commerce, the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce, the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce and the Shelby County Reporter will sponsor these free events.

During the forums, candidates for mayor and city council will discuss their platforms.

Mayoral candidates will also participate in a question-and-answer session.

“Making an informed decision in the voting booth takes careful study of the candidates and the issues facing each community in Shelby County,” said Tim Prince, publisher and president of the Shelby County Reporter. “Our hope is that the forum will provide an excellent opportunity for voters to gain a strong understanding of the important issues in these elections and how each candidate would approach them.”

All forums start at 6:30 p.m. The first three will be held Aug. 11 in Alabaster, Chelsea and Wilton. The next four will be Aug. 12 in Columbiana, Montevallo, Pelham and Vincent.

Westover’s forum will be Aug. 18, followed by Calera and Wilsonville on Aug. 19.

For more information, call 669-3131.