Voters in the newly redrawn 43rd State Senate District had a chance to hear from candidates at a League of Women Voters candidate forum on Thursday, Sept.6.
Well, they heard from some of the candidates. Incumbent Roy McDonald and Edward Gilbert showed, but Kathleen Marchione, who is primarying McDonald on the Republican line and Gilbert on the Conservative line, did not. She instead sent a statement.
“It’s a fair debate (one scheduled for Sept. 11) with Roy McDonald that the voters in the 43rdSenate District deserve, unfortunately tonight’s debate is not fair,” said Marchione in the statement read by forum moderator Donna Dardaris, secretary for the LWV of Saratoga County and membership chairwoman.
Marchione recently accused Gilbert and McDonald of conspiring against her and said that by attending the forum, it would have had her entering a “potential ambush.”
Candidates focus on economy
The forum went ahead, however, with the two candidates who will not be facing one another in the Thursday, Sept. 13, primary.
Gilbert began by saying that he’s not a “career politician,” but rather a resident, neighbor and father concerned about the future of the state. He suggested reining in spending and reforming state government to restore economic prosperity.
“We need to ensure quality of life and safe and secure neighborhoods. And we need to guarantee better futures for our children,” said Gilbert.
He then spoke of his two daughters who are in college and wondered what would be waiting for them upon graduation. He also said that the state needs to become a destination again – not a departure.
McDonald also opened on an economic theme and citied his work in office, including the elimination of property taxes in the town of Wilton for nearly three decades when he was supervisor.
“Let nobody mislead you … it’s about economics when we start talking about all the other things — but not talking about things that are the most important. Right now … the most important thing is the economic health of our community,” said McDonald.
General agreement on the issues
Both candidates then took questions from an audience of about70. They agreed on issues including support of veteran services, education and job creation.
There were no issues the two were divided on and the forum proceeded in a very amicable manner, though on more than one occasion, McDonald pointed to the importance of participation in government. In clear reference to Marchione’s absence he said, “Shame on you” to those who choose not to participate in government.
Gilbert was the first to respond to a question about what the candidates plan on doing to help the nation’s veterans. He said he personally supports veterans whenever he can, but politically there is no one particular thing he could speak to given that he hasn’t been involved with politics for very long. He did however, talk about programs and grants available to veterans.
“Part of what I do is to help process those programs. We also do outreach to make sure that veterans are aware of what’s available to them,” said Gilbert.
He added before some of the first soldiers were sent to war after the 9/11 attacks, he went to National Guard posts to talk with soldiers who were pulled from college to face combat about managing their student loans. He also said that veterans deserve a lot more than they get now.
McDonald talked about his accomplishments regarding veteran’s issues such as the Patriot Plans that authorized veteran tax exemptions when returning from active duty. Most recently, he has been involved as the chairman of Senate Mental Health and Disabilities Committee.
The candidates were asked about the Saratoga County nursing home, and McDonald noted New York is one of two states in the country that require county governments to pay Medicaid. Maplewood Manor has been losing millions of dollars for years, in part because of Medicaid reimbursement rates and state mandates.
“We don’t have enough votes to overturn (the mandates) … There are $60 billion worth of Medicaid expenditures in New York state,” said McDonald. He proposed changes that include fraud control.
While Gilbert admitted that he caught a little “flat footed” a bout Maplewood Manor’s issues, he did say he is aware of Medicaid fraud problems and he too would support changes to rid the system of that fraud.
“You have to have accountability in this program and there seems to be a lot of that missing,” said Gilbert.
Both candidates said social issues such as abortion should take a back seat to pressing economic concerns. They also called for increased public participation in government.
The primary will take place on Thursday, Sept. 13.Only voters enrolled in eligible parties will be able to cast votes for that line. For full primary coverage, check spotlightnews.com Thursday after polls close at 9 p.m.
