The election season for candidates in the Town of Colonie has just begun, but for two candidates, Wednesday, Nov. 2, will be their last chance to air their policy ideas and visions of what they want to town to look like.
The League of Women Voters of Albany County, the Colonie Chamber of Commerce, Capital Area Council of Churches and the Spotlight Newspapers will sponsor a debate between the two candidates for Colonie supervisor: Republican Denise Sheehan and Democrat Paula Mahan, the incumbent.
I enjoy debating and I’m looking forward to it, said Mahan. `It’s an opportunity for the people of Colonie to hear both sides. For me, it’s a fun thing so I hope everyone will enjoy it.`
Sheehan said she is also looking forward to her first debate. It’ll be a chance for residents to see the contrast between the two candidates, she said, as well as their different management and leadership styles and their different ideas for the town.
`I’m grateful to the Spotlight, the League of Women Voters, the Colonie Chamber of Commerce and the Capital Area Council of Churches,` she said. `It’s an important forum for residents to get an idea of where candidates stand on certain issues.`
Mahan said she hopes to focus on their experiences and what has been accomplished in the town as well as the town’s future. She added that both candidates should be given the chance to express their views and see what solutions they can offer for some of the challenges the town faces.
`It should be a debate about just facts,` she said. `It should be facts about what has actually occurred. I know what I’ve done over the last three and a half years.`
Some of the issues Sheehan wants to focus on are the financial situation in the town, the landfill and how to best use it as an asset for the residents and the economic development of the town.
Sheehan has been keeping busy on the campaign trail, braving the rain to knock on doors and talk to residents, and she’s been getting a good response. Sheehan said having the event the week before the elections will be beneficial for residents as it will help cement their decisions when they go into the voting booth.
`I’m just really looking forward to it,` she said. `I’m excited about the campaign. I’ve been getting great feedback from residents who are interested in my ideas for a brighter future in the town.`
Spotlight Publisher John McIntyre said the paper is pleased to be hosting both candidates for the event and that he hopes for both a spirited and informative debate.
`I’m happy that both Denise Sheehan and Supervisor Paula Mahan will join us in November.` he said. `It will be beneficial for the residents of Colonie to see where these two candidates stand on the issues.`
The event is open to the public will be held at the Holiday Inn in Albany at 205 Wolf Road. It will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Audience members will be given cards to write down their own questions for the candidates during the debate. It is asked that no signs are brought to the venue.
“