A mayoral candidate in the Region of Queens says he is surprised only one debate will be held before the municipal election.
Scott Costen says he asked the other mayoral candidates, Christopher Clarke and David Dagley, to add more debates but they refused.
One debate, hosted by the South Queens Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for September 27 at the Astor Theatre.
Costen says other parts of Queens should be able to see their next mayor on stage.
“We have places like Caledonia and Greenfield, a number of communities that would benefit from having a debate in their backyard. Not everyone is going to be able to make it to Liverpool.”
Costen believes the two other candidates don’t want extra debates because they’re afraid to face the tough questions.
Meanwhile, Christopher Clarke says his door isn’t closed to further debates.
However, it’s not his sole focus.
“I’m much more interested meeting people face-to-face, which is what I’m doing at the moment on the campaign finding out what the issues are and how I can help people.”
Clarke, who has served as mayor from 1996 to 2000 and again from 2012 to present, says he’s never backed down from tough questions.
David Dagley adds, debates certainly have their place in an election.
However, he says proposing to hold as many debates as possible in as many communities as possible is unacceptable.
Dagley suggests Costen should focus on managing his own election campaign and time and hopes Costen will participate in the planned September debate, when issues will be front and center.
