Spotlight teams with League of Women Voters
Both candidates running in the Democratic primary for Bethlehem supervisor say they’re looking forward to an upcoming debate.
The event will be held Thursday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m. at Bethlehem Town Hall, and is put on jointly by Spotlight Newspapers and the Albany County League of Women Voters. Spotlight Managing Editor William R. DeVoe will moderate the debate between Kyle Kotary and John Clarkson.
Both candidates said they’re excited to face the public.
I’m looking forward to the debate, which will be a great opportunity for not just Democratic primary voters but all Bethlehem voters ` to do a side-by-side comparison of our positions on taxes and fiscal discipline, the contrast between our past on-the-job experiences and voting records, and the differences between our philosophies on a range of issues from economic development, to supporting our innovative town services, to how we can best maintain our quality of life in Bethlehem. And while I believe we need a supervisor who can bring all the parties together as I have and thus finally put the petty politics that’s plagued the past few years behind us, it is important for Democratic voters to hear why the 60 members of their Bethlehem Democratic Committee unanimously made me their choice in an open vote, over both the current supervisor and my primary opponent,` Kyle Kotary said.
`I’m very glad that The Spotlight and League of Women Voters are providing this opportunity for a debate. Elections are about choices, and a debate should provide the voters with a good comparison between the two contenders for the Democratic line in this year’s race for town supervisor. This is an historic opportunity for the voters to directly choose the candidate they prefer,` John Clarkson said.
Clarkson is primarying Kotary, who garnered the nomination of the Democratic Party (both are Democrats). There is also an opportunity to ballot on the Conservative line, so members of that party can write in any person they wish to appear in the November general election.
`We’re very excited to join the Albany County League of Women Voters in hosting the debate between Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Kotary,` said DeVoe. `It’s our goal as a community newspaper to enlighten and inform the public, and we hope voters come away from the debate with a better understanding of the candidates and their platforms.`
The debate is expected to last about an hour, and questions will be supplied by members of the audience. Those in attendance will be able to write their questions on notecards, which will be collected before and during the debate by members of the League of Women Voters.
In a format consistent with past League-Spotlight debates, each candidate will be given two minutes for opening and closing statements. The bulk of the debate will see the candidates answering questions in rotating order with two minutes allowed for responses. Each candidate will have two red cards that will grant an addition minute of speaking time, or a one-minute rebuttal if they’ve already answered the question but wish to respond to their opponent.
Signs will not be allowed into the venue and any politicking before or during the debate is prohibited, though afterward those prohibitions are lifted. Recording of the debate is allowed only by approved media.
The Spotlight will host video of the entire debate on its website, spotlightnews.com, as well as provide print coverage. Bethlehem Town Hall is located at 445 Delaware Ave. in Delmar.“
