With the 2017 election season well underway, New Fairfield and Sherman Board of Selectmen candidates will discuss some of the issues facing their towns in face to face debates sponsored by the Town Tribune.
“We are pleased to be able to sponsor the Face to Face Candidate Debates for both New Fairfield and Sherman. Having worked through election seasons in the past, we recognize the importance of hosting these debates and providing residents with the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates running for Board of Selectmen. We encourage everyone to attend or watch the debate coverage on your local stations, Channel 194 for Charter and Channel 199 for Frontier and to get out and vote on November 7th,” said Town Tribune publishers Marylou Schirmer and Kate Mattiace.
The Town Tribune extends its thanks to Alison Herold who will be assisting with the broadcast and to John Goetz who will act as moderator for both debates. In addition to the broadcast noted above, the debate footage will also be made available on the town website, www.newfairfield.org, up to Election Day.
Sherman’s debate will take place Sunday, October 22 from 12:30pm – 2:30pm at Charter Hall (Emergency Services Facility). The debate will feature First Selectman candidates, incumbent Clay Cope and challenger Don Lowe as well as Selectman candidates, incumbent Bob Ostrosky and challenger Kevin Keenan. Doors will open at 12:00pm.
New Fairfield’s debate will take place Wednesday, October 25 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm at the New Fairfield Community Center. The debate will feature First Selectman candidates, incumbent Susan Chapman and challenger Pat Delmonaco along with Selectman candidates, incumbent Kim Hanson and challenger Khris Hall. Doors will open at 6:00pm.
The debate will consist of four parts—a 20 minute opening (including a three minute opening statement from each First Selectman candidate), Town Tribune panel questions (15 minutes), Audience Q&A period (65 minutes), and a 10 minute closing (including two minute closing statements from First Selectman and Selectman candidates).
You have to be registered to vote in the November 7 election. Registration is available in person during regular Town Hall hours in the Registrar of Voters office or in the Town Clerk’s office if the Registrars are not available. A mail in registration form is available on the Town website under the Registrars of Voters department.
Make plans now to attend the debate in your town and start thinking about what you would like to learn from the folks who are seeking to lead our towns into the future.
By Greg Slomba