Candidates' forum to be held this month
Some of the candidates running for various local offices this year, at a June candidates’ forum held in East Park. From left to right: County Clerk candidate Bill Smith, Ward 6 Alderman candidate Robert D. Jeffrey, City Supervisor candidate Robert M. Jeffrey, Ward 2 Alderman candidate Thomas Curnalia, County Sheriff candidate Debra Cubbedge, County Sheriff candidate Ernest Cutting, Mayoral candidate Brian Doliver, County Clerk candidate Brian Wessels, Ward 2 Alderman candidate Fred Gee, Mayoral candidate John Quattrocchi, and Ward 4 Alderman candidate Bill Loomis. (Photo by Sarah Genter)
NORWICH — With Election Day right around the corner, on November 2, those running for office in Norwich and Chenango County are gearing up for a public candidates' forum. The forum is set to take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 17, at the Norwich American Legion hall, located at 29 Sheldon Street in Norwich.
Forum co-organizer Matthew Caldwell said the event is meant to be a way for candidates and voters to meet and discuss policies and concerns.
"My feeling is that this is both a candidates and members of the community venue, and an opportunity to meet collectively to kind of share ideas and concerns and other items of interest, in a way that can be informative and educational prior to an election," said Caldwell. "It's really not a debate. I mean, we've kind of used that term loosely but it's not like, you know, you see the presidential debates on TV, that's really not the format here."
A 45-minute time slot will be given for each contested election, to allow both candidates time to discuss their respective policies, as well as give audience members the chance to ask questions, according to forum co-organizer Karol Kucinski.
"Those people who have contested elections will get up and ... [we'll] give them 15 or so minutes to talk about what they want to do," said Kucinski. "You know, introduce themselves, this is my background, these are my programs, what you want to vote for me for, and you know, have one candidate do it and then have another candidate do it."
"Then the last 15 minutes for questions from the audience," he added.
Caldwell emphasized that the forum is there to help voters learn more about the candidates, and to help them make an informed decision when they get to the polls.
"We are going to give each candidate that comes some time to introduce themselves, discuss why they've decided to run for their respective office, share with voters why they believe they're qualified, and what makes them the best candidate for the position, and ultimately ask for the vote," Caldwell explained. "And we will give anyone participating, you know, within a reasonable time frame, an opportunity to ask questions about specific topics or policy items, or anything else of interest that might help shed some more light on why any particular candidate is a great candidate for the position they're running for."
The current schedule for candidates in contested elections to speak is as follows: Ward 2 Alderman candidates, County Clerk candidates, Mayoral candidates, and candidates for Chenango County Sheriff.
For non-contested elections, candidates will be set up at tables, so voters can meet them and speak with them as well.
"For the people who don't have contestants to stand up against, we're going to have tables for them so that they can have a place for their literature, and a place where people can talk with them if they have questions," said Kucinski.
Despite belonging to different political parties, Kucinski and Caldwell have closely collaborated to make the event possible, and highlighted the need to keep the forum educational and welcoming.
"We are very happy that we can work together so closely to provide this forum, this neutral forum, for candidates of all political parties," said Kucinski.
"We really want this to be an educational opportunity for everybody, and for everybody to feel welcome and comfortable and, you know, open to express their feelings and opinions in a way that's not gonna be criticized," said Caldwell. "We're looking forward to it."
Forum co-organizer Matthew Caldwell said the event is meant to be a way for candidates and voters to meet and discuss policies and concerns.
"My feeling is that this is both a candidates and members of the community venue, and an opportunity to meet collectively to kind of share ideas and concerns and other items of interest, in a way that can be informative and educational prior to an election," said Caldwell. "It's really not a debate. I mean, we've kind of used that term loosely but it's not like, you know, you see the presidential debates on TV, that's really not the format here."
A 45-minute time slot will be given for each contested election, to allow both candidates time to discuss their respective policies, as well as give audience members the chance to ask questions, according to forum co-organizer Karol Kucinski.
"Those people who have contested elections will get up and ... [we'll] give them 15 or so minutes to talk about what they want to do," said Kucinski. "You know, introduce themselves, this is my background, these are my programs, what you want to vote for me for, and you know, have one candidate do it and then have another candidate do it."
"Then the last 15 minutes for questions from the audience," he added.
Caldwell emphasized that the forum is there to help voters learn more about the candidates, and to help them make an informed decision when they get to the polls.
"We are going to give each candidate that comes some time to introduce themselves, discuss why they've decided to run for their respective office, share with voters why they believe they're qualified, and what makes them the best candidate for the position, and ultimately ask for the vote," Caldwell explained. "And we will give anyone participating, you know, within a reasonable time frame, an opportunity to ask questions about specific topics or policy items, or anything else of interest that might help shed some more light on why any particular candidate is a great candidate for the position they're running for."
The current schedule for candidates in contested elections to speak is as follows: Ward 2 Alderman candidates, County Clerk candidates, Mayoral candidates, and candidates for Chenango County Sheriff.
For non-contested elections, candidates will be set up at tables, so voters can meet them and speak with them as well.
"For the people who don't have contestants to stand up against, we're going to have tables for them so that they can have a place for their literature, and a place where people can talk with them if they have questions," said Kucinski.
Despite belonging to different political parties, Kucinski and Caldwell have closely collaborated to make the event possible, and highlighted the need to keep the forum educational and welcoming.
"We are very happy that we can work together so closely to provide this forum, this neutral forum, for candidates of all political parties," said Kucinski.
"We really want this to be an educational opportunity for everybody, and for everybody to feel welcome and comfortable and, you know, open to express their feelings and opinions in a way that's not gonna be criticized," said Caldwell. "We're looking forward to it."
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