Public Asked To Submit Questions—

Candidates To Face Off

In Bee Debate

By John Voket

For the third time in as many local election cycles, The Newtown Bee is planning a public debate of first selectman candidates, and is soliciting questions from residents that they would like to have addressed at the event. The debate will be Tuesday, October 18, in the Edmond Town Hall theater.

Doors will open at 7 pm for an informal meet and greet, Board of Selectman candidates Will Rodgers, James Gaston, and Po Murray will have a few moments at the outset of the debate to introduce themselves to the audience, and then a debate between incumbent Republican Pat Llodra and challenger William Furrier, of the Independent Party of Newtown, will commence.

As in past years, the debate will be moderated by Bee Editor Curtiss Clark.

“Once again we are inviting townspeople to spend an hour and a half listening to the candidates who hope to lead Newtown for the next two years describe their goals and explain how they plan to reach them,” Mr Clark said this week. “It will be the one opportunity for those interested in hearing more than just sound bites or talking points to assess these two candidates side by side.”

The format for The Bee’s October 18 debate will remain essentially unchanged from previous years. First selectman candidates will be given up to five minutes for introductory remarks.

Then Mr Clark plans to present questions for the main portion of the debate, including queries submitted by the public. Questions may be submitted until 5 pm on October 17 by e-mail to editor@thebee.com (subject line: Debate Question), or by dropping it off at The Bee’s offices at 5 Church Hill Road.

Most questions will be general and directed to both candidates, though occasionally a question will focus on a position or policy espoused by a particular candidate.

“In any case, no one will be prevented from answering a question, even if it is not specifically addressed to him or her,” Mr Clark said.

Candidates will have up to three minutes to respond to each question and another 30 seconds if they wish to respond to or rebut something said by their opponent.

There is no charge for admission and the public is encouraged to attend.