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Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1361
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 8, 2003 - 10:20 am: | 
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We've been trying to schedule a second debate that would air live from the CCN studios on Friday night. Both the staff and students were ready to do it. Through their campaign manager, Dave Bressen, the incumbents have "absolutely refused" to participate.
We offered to participate anyway, but CCN understandably wants both lines present. For a campaign that doesn't have the power of incumbency to get its message out, a minimum of debate is a disadvantage.
In another thread, there is a reasoned discussion about how to view candidates' participation on MOL. In this small village, how do the incumbents manage to claim they are open while minimizing opportunities to hear and discuss issues and concerns that they don't agree with?
www.opensouthorange.com
Vote Line B on May 13th
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mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 358
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 8, 2003 - 10:36 am: |
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I did not refuse to debate. I said I had a prior engagement on Friday night. I find it strange that this is coming up with less than one week to go in the election. Usually the dates for debates are discussed and set in the first week or two before we have all made plans.
I think I have been the most open person on the BOT for the last four years. I certainly drive the most visible car.
In Bill Calabrese's defense, he has a business in town and talks with anyone who goes into his store. I have often been amazed at how he deals with an almost never ending stream of people who stop by to ask him questions whether they are customers or not.
Remember to Vote Line A on May 13th
www.leadershipwithvision.org
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Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1365
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 8, 2003 - 11:02 am: |
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It's a campaign. Debate or don't debate. I bring it up today because we were hoping that the incumbents would make room in their schedules for what CCN started talking about a week ago Wednesday. It became apparent this morning that no matter what we offered, they weren't going to do it. That's a shame.
We celebrate diversity but not of thought. If you think that "Village business is conducted in an open, public and inclusive manner" (your ticket's words there), try talking to people who are afraid to put up an Open South Orange lawn sign because they do business with the town and they fear it will hurt them after the election.
Try talking to people who are waiting on final approval for an addition and will put up the sign only after they get it, for fear that the approval will be withheld otherwise. Try talking to a merchant who is told his occupancy inspection would "go a little smoother" if he picked up a line A sign and put it in his window.
I like you Mark, and I agree - you do listen. I don't confuse who you are with the line you are running on.
www.opensouthorange.com
Vote Line B on May 13th
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woodstock
Citizen
Username: Woodstock
Post Number: 131
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 8, 2003 - 11:14 am: |
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Mr. O'Leary,
If this actually happened (Try talking to a merchant who is told his occupancy inspection would "go a little smoother" if he picked up a line A sign and put it in his window.') I would urge you to have the merchant contact the police (or the FBI - I believe, perhaps incorrectly, that interference with a political election at any level is a federal offense). Perhaps it's naive of me, but I wouldn't expect in a town this small that someone could get away with a comment as blatantly extortionist as that.
If this allegation is true (as well as the others about people's reluctance to exercise their first amendment rights by having a sign on their property), I'm sure everyone in town would like to know who made the actual comment.
If we stand still for a "little" corruption, it paves the way for complete corruption. |
Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1368
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 8, 2003 - 11:57 am: |
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I just got off the phone with John Gross, who read my post and was really concerned with it as well.
As John pointed out, I am not a first-hand witness to what happened. I agree with John's sense that the Village deserves the opportunity to investigate the claim and, if necessary, address it. I was wrong to post it here without first giving him that opportunity. I've offered him my apology and said that I would post the same thing here.
If the merchant is willing to bring the issue to John, he will give it all of the attention he deserves. Until it is resolved, I want to withdraw what I have written and leave it with the first two examples given.
John also pointed out that we have tried to run a high-minded campaign to this point, and what I wrote risks alienating the many dedicated staff working for the Village. I understand his objection, offer my apology and plan to keep the balance of this campaign true to the spirit of what we set out to do in January.
www.opensouthorange.com
Vote Line B on May 13th
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mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 363
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 8, 2003 - 11:58 am: |
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Brian: That is a pretty serious accusation. I have never told and I would bet that none of the line A candidates ever told a village employee to even suggest that a lawn sign would speed up the process. I would not even say something like that in kidding.
If you have any evidence of this kind of behavior, I would want to see it first hand.
Woodstock is right and it should be reported to the county sherrif at the very least.
At the very least, I think you should voice your concern to the village administrator and put together a meeting with the merchant and any other party you think appropiate.
Remember to Vote Line A on May 13th
www.leadershipwithvision.org
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Brian O'Leary
Citizen
Username: Brianoleary
Post Number: 1369
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 8, 2003 - 12:04 pm: |
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Thanks Mark... see my post that slipped in just above yours.
www.opensouthorange.com
Vote Line B on May 13th
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nwyave
Citizen
Username: Mesh
Post Number: 51
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 8, 2003 - 12:25 pm: |
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Its hard to understand why another debate can't be agreed upon prior to the election. I am sure there are many undecided candidates that would find this very helpful.
We are a small town that I would think should not rely on formalities. I would be very surprised if there were not a lot of voters out there, including myself, that would find another debate very useful. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 364
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 8, 2003 - 2:43 pm: |
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nwyave: The debates and the times should have been agreed to within one week of putting in the petitions. In the past, the various sponsors of a debate would contact the candidates and come up with some choices.
Brian: Thanks for posting the apology and I certainly hope the story is not true.
Remember to Vote Line A on May 13th
www.leadershipwithvision.org
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