KNIGHTDALE - Mayor Russell Killen and his opponent, local businessman Jun Lee, are negotiating the times and dates of debates before the November election.

Killen, in an Aug. 9 email to Lee, challenged Lee to five debates in addition to an already scheduled dual on Oct. 11.

In Killen's request to Lee, the incumbent mayor cited a rising energy surrounding their race.

"With the time for the election quickly drawing upon us, I believe that there is significant interest from the citizens of Knightdale in having the opportunity to engage us in detailed discussions about what our respective visions are for the Town of Knightdale and how each of us propose to achieve that vision," Killen wrote in Tuesday's email. "To that end, I wanted to see if you would agree to participate with me in a series of community forums throughout Knightdale."

Killen suggested the debates take place near some of Knightdale's most populous areas and neighborhoods: Old Town, Planters Walk, Mingo Creek, Churchill, and Forestville Road.

Lee on Wednesday said he would counter Killen's request, proposing two debates before their Oct. 11 square-off at Town Hall. Lee, who is the owner and operator of Black Belt World, a Tae Kwon-Do studio in Knightdale, cited scheduling conflicts.

"We thought that five, plus the televised debate, was kind of an overkill," Lee's campaign consultant, Mike Gould, said.

Details of the debates were still being negotiated last week.

Killen says he will appear at the five locations to meet voters - with or without Lee.