In what may prove the only debate of the mayoral campaign, the three contenders vying for the city’s top job are slated to appear before the Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce on October 15.
Mayor Art Ward, a first-term Democrat seeking reelection, said he doesn’t see much point in holding more than one debate.
His challengers, Republican Mary Alford and independent Gary Lawton, are angling to unseat the mayor in the November 3 general election.
The chamber is also sponsoring City Council debates that will likely be filmed at Nutmeg Community Television for broadcast in the days before the election.
The chamber’s debate, sponsored by Bristol Hospital, will be focus on “business-related issues as they affect the Bristol community.”
The event is slated to take place at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15 at Nuchies Restaurant in Forestville, with breakfast starting at 8 a.m.
It costs $17 for chamber members who pay ahead of time, $20 at the door. For non-chamber members, the cost is $25 prepaid or $30 at the door.
At this point, there is no debate or mayoral forum scheduled where voters can hear the three candidates for free.
The chamber’s debate was organized by its legislative committee. It will be moderated by Tom Monahan, a veteran newsman on WVIT television, channel 30.
Payments for tickets should be made to the Central CT Chambers of Commerce, 200 Main Street, Bristol, CT 06010.
For more information, visit the CentralCTChambers.org website, email Info@CentralCTChambers.org or phone (860) 584-4718.
Ward was elected in 2007 after a tight race against Republican Ken Johnson. William Stortz, the GOP mayor from 2005 to 2007, did not run for another term.
Mayors serve two-year terms for $98,000 annually.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
41 comments:
So I gotta pay to see the debate in person. Great idea, I'll ask the one person who goes what happened.
Bad enough the voters have to pay to attend a debate, with the deabate time we would have to take time off of work. You would think if the Mayor would care about the citizens (voters) then himself and provide a free debate after working hours.
I remember Ward complaining to Stortz when meetings were held in the mornings or early afternoon. Now that he is doing it - it's okay?
Two-faced Artie.
Here is a questsion for Ward during the debate-
"What makes you feel you have the right to place your hands where they don't belong?"
And for those of us who have Satillite TV and ATT Uverse, we can't get Nutmeg TV, so we either pay to see it live or we rely on the media to give us an account of what happened without bias.
We are so screwed.
11:01
Ward also complained about making appointments timely.
What is the status of the atttorney position left unfilled since April?
Two Faced!
One way Ward needs to go!
3:09 or the veterans service officer position left open since last year. Seems Ward has no idea what he says - his lies will catch up to him very soon.
11:11am - where did the Mayor put his hands?
Gee Cal,
Ever think that maybe Ward (Alford and Lawton) had nothing to do with when or where the debate was scheduled? I know you're dying for something to bitch about, but maybe you should check the facts before you go spouting off. (Oops, forgot who I was talking to. You guys never let a little thing like facts stop you)...bitch away! LMFAO
Hey Seeking the truth,
I can see why you're seeking it. It sounds like you wouldn't recognize the truth if it walked up and slapped you in the face.
well folks, at least he is willing to debate, something he said was "unecessary" during the primary 2 years ago.
If I was WArd I would boycott the debate.
Why should the taxpaying public have to pay tohear and see the candidates!
Don't miss it, it will be a laugher.
(Except that the city is at stake)
11:01
What has Ward done about the CLP overbilling?
If I remember, he moaned about that too!
The opposition should bring up all these things.
What a bunch of real a-holes. They have a nerve to charge for this event. Why can't it be held at Central or Eastern High School? WTF. Why even bother voting anymore? This town makes me sick. Excuse me while I go vomit!
Don`t vote for Ward that`s the best thing this town can do.
This debate is a joke . Just like the slate.
What the hell is wrong with the Mayor that he doesn't even show up to honor Miss Bristol???
Our elected officials are a farce: too bad we didn't have someone to vote for.
Hey Steve when did the Mayors pay get cut so much. I mean begining of the year it was 110,000 then Mayor Ward stated he would take a 3% pay cut which would have put his pay roughly at about 106,000. Then it went to 100,000, skipping over the 106,000, and now we see 98,000 .Is there something funny going on at city hall with the cash?
Is someone playing with numbers to make it look good for certain people in city hall?
kick his butt mary! we need him out and we need change!
What is art paying for all the union members to go. somebody count how many union members are there.the funny thing is he is playing the unions like a flute.and they don`t even no what`s going on.
Unfortunately, Mary does not have a clue.
And her handlers are losers in every sense of the word.
You do have somebody to vote for give Mary a chance anything is better then Ward.
6:28 AM, Mary couldn't kick her way out of a paper bag. Obama promised "change." How's that working for you?
Yeah, I agree with 12:24.. Why not hold it at a High School and allow people to see it for free?
people need to know that none of the candidates set up this chamber thing, the Chamber of Commerce did. If another debate is wanted it could be set up up by others.
The sad thing about this is that most interested voters will not be able to participate. The debate should have been scheduled so that the general public could attend. Why not in the evening at one of the High Schools for free?
Mary knows what`s going on in this town and you will see on Oct 15 she won`t cover up all the crap that goes on in this town that`s for sure. and the people in this town are better off with out him. This town needs a big change for the better.we dropped the ball with Ellen don`t make the same mistake again.thanks
Art won't back out, he needs the Nicasto's (plural) support!
Let me get this straight...a debate during City Hall hours when he should be in the Mayor's Office..so .......
We are paying Ward to participate in a political debate that we need to pay to see?
My head hurts.
If I vote at all, I will be voting write-in for Storts
More like dodged a bullet with Ellen. This town is doing just fine, thanks!
"Let me get this straight"
That would be a first! Once again, you're attacking the wrong person for the wrong reason.
...and you think your head hurts?
7:54
Good idea!
I met Mary Alford at the parade recently. She seemed pretty knowledgeable on Bristol and she was excited to meet me! Was very pleasant to talk to. Was Art Ward even there? I do not agree with having to pay to see them speak. Does the money paid go back into the city?
7:06 is right! Why are we paying the mayor's salary to attend a political function? I don't care who is hosting the event. It's still a clear campaign effort. He shouldn't agree to attend it during regular working hours. It's one thing for the chamber to invite individual candidates to address the business community during a breakfast, but it's a totally different thing to have a debate of all the candidates during City Hall hours.
Much of the business community doesn't even live in Bristol and can't vote for the candidates. A debate should be for the votng population, not for solely the business community.
Ward stating that there is no need for more than one debate says to me that he is dismissing the citizens of this town. AGAIN.
All the candidates should deny the Chamber's invitation. It's just another way for the chamber to make money and it doesn't include the real voters.
"I met Mary Alford at the parade recently. She seemed pretty knowledgeable on Bristol and she was excited to meet me! Was very pleasant to talk to. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Golly, a candidate running for mayor being pleasant and excited to meet a voter WOW! Wanna buy a bridge?
7:54
How do I do that?
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