Brockport candidates invited to debate the issues

Candidates will have an opportunity to be heard on the issues and taxpayers and residents will be given the chance to ask questions of the candidates who are vying for trustee or mayoral spots in the Village of Brockport.

Keith Ryan, president of Westside News, Inc. and a member of the Greater Brockport Chamber of Commerce, will be moderating a Meet the Candidates Night and debate. "I've moderated in the past and was asked to help out with this debate," he said.

The Chamber, Ryan said, wanted to become more involved in the community and the debate was a way to facilitate that involvement.

"The people of the village have a lot at stake in this year's election," Ryan said. "The debate will be a good way for residents to acquaint themselves with the candidates and learn where they stand on the issues facing the village."

The format for the Meet the Candidates event will be to have opening remarks given by all candidates then to open the floor to questions from the audience. The forum will not allow for candidates to respond to questions either raised or answered by their fellow candidates but will be a chance for the candidates to voice their opinions on questions posed by taxpayers. The answers and remarks given by the candidates will likely be timed in order for all to have an opportunity to speak.

Ryan said there was a call out to residents to submit questions prior to the debate but only one had been received to date. "We're planning to hand out note cards and pencils to those who attend so they can write down questions the night of the forum," he said. He added that questions should be pertinent to all candidates.

The debate is scheduled for Wednesday, June 1 at 7 p.m. at the Brockport High School. Those who have confirmed their attendance are: For the mayoral position, Glenn Emerson, Norman Knapp and Mort Wexler; for the trustee positions, John Bush, Maria Castaneda, Laura Emerson, Scott Hunsinger, David Wagenhauser and Jim Whipple.