COUNCIL OF GREENBURGH CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS (CGCA)
CGCA ANNOUNCES CANDIDATES’ DEBATES
Contact: Danny Gold, Chairman, CGCA
Telephone: (914) 765-5268 (office)
Fax: (914) 765-5295
E-mail: goldd@us.ibm.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 1999.
The Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations (CGCA) announced today that it had extended invitations for a debate to all candidates running for contested seats in the upcoming election on Primary Day, September 14, 1999.
In an August 7th letter to the candidates running in the Conservative and Democratic primaries (there is no Republican primary), which was based on information available at that time, Danny Gold, Chairman of the CGCA, stated that the CGCA wished to encourage and assist in the formation of an enlightened public opinion. To that end, the CGCA will sponsor public debates among candidates for public office both for the September 14th primaries and the November 2nd general election.
The debates will be aired live on Channel 14, the Greenburgh TV cable access station. The pre-primary debate is scheduled for Tuesday, August 31st at Greenburgh Town Hall beginning at 7:30 p. m. In accordance with the customary rebroadcasting schedule, it is expected that the program will be aired at least two more times both on Channel 14 and Channel 16 for the benefit of Greenburgh residents.
Mr. Gold will serve as moderator for the debates. In announcing CGCA’s intention to build public understanding on the issues in the upcoming elections, Mr. Gold stressed the non-partisan role of the CGCA, established in 1955, and its historic function in forging informed opinion about the important issues facing the Greenburgh community. "As our elected officials are those who are responsible for assisting in establishing and maintaining a quality of life for the Greenburgh community, it is important for our organization to bring their individual messages to the community at large," noted Mr. Gold.
In the Democratic Primary, invitations have been extended to Les Adler, Eddie Mae Barnes and Francis Sheehan, running for the two available Town Council seats. All have accepted the invitation to debate.
The CGCA also invited debate among the Democratic candidates for Town Justice where again there are two vacancies to fill. The contested seats in the Democratic Primary are being sought by Sandra Forster, Doris T. Friedman, James W. Hubert and Harold S. Klein. All have agreed to debate.
In the Conservative Party Primary invitations were extended to candidates for Town Supervisor, William H. Pohlmann and John P. McGloine; as well as to Stephanie W. Bellino, John J. Dawson, Margaret T. Mahoney and Domenic J. Morabito, who are running for the Town Council. Mr. McGloine declined the invitation, so there will be no debate for Town Supervisor in the Conservative primary. Mr. Morabito has advised that he will be unable to attend the debate due to a previous commitment. CGCA is still awaiting response from Ms. Mahoney and Mr. Dawson to ascertain if a debate will take place for Town Council in the Conservative Primary.
Debate format and time will be allotted equally among the final debate participants. To encourage judicial candidate participation, Mr. Gold noted in his letter that CGCA was aware that certain limitations apply to the types of questions asked of those seeking Town Justice seats. To that end, CGCA will abide by the debate guidelines established by the League of Women Voters for judicial debates.
Cleo Oliver, Vice-Chair of the CGCA, was delighted that the CGCA took the initiative to hold public debates. "There are many critical issues facing Greenburgh today regarding development, cable TV access, enforcement of our building and zoning codes, appointment to our volunteer committees and the general decline in the quality of life in our community," stated Ms. Oliver, who also chairs the Police Advisory Commission. "Therefore, it is essential for the community to have an opportunity to hear and ask questions of the candidates who seek to influence the lives of our citizens," Ms. Oliver continued.
The Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations (CGCA) is a nonpartisan, umbrella organization whose purpose is to advance the common interests of member civic associations in important Town affairs. These 34 civic associations represent the wide diversity of Greenburgh. The CGCA holds monthly meetings at Town Hall which are open to the broad Greenburgh community.