Below is a Press Release from the Hammonton First website:

 

HAMMONTON FIRST

Press Release

Hammonton First Calls For Debate at Town Hall

HAMMONTON The threeHammonton First candidates for Town Council are calling for a live, televised, unedited debate at the new Town Hall. Sam Rodio, Jeanne Lewis and Tom Gribbin are requesting that Mayor and Council vote on an official debate of all three parties Town Council candidates to be held at Town Hall and televised on the Towns TV Channel 9.

The local Democratic, Republican and Hammonton First Town Council candidates are asked to send an official representative to the Town Council meeting on September 22^nd to let Mayor and Council know if all of their candidates are willing to participate in this debate. Mayor and Council are asked to take a vote approving the debate and setting a date and time.

Sam, Jeanne and I are excited about this debate. It will be a great opportunity to talk about the real issues that concern Hammontonians in an open, honest atmosphere. Were willing to debate, anywhere, anytime, anyplace, Tom Gribbin, Hammonton First Town Council Candidate said.

For four years in a row, only one group, Hammonton First, has agreed to debate without hesitation or reservation. Once again, Hammonton Firsts Town Council candidates: Sam Rodio, Jeanne Lewis and Tom Gribbin are leading the way in calling for this debate.

Potential topics for the debate include each candidates ability to be fiscally responsible in these difficult economic times, initiatives and projects that each candidate would like to move forward, once elected and how to keep taxes from increasing for a fourth year in a row.

Hammonton Democratic Response to the Debate Offer:

The Hammonton Democratic Campaign accepts the Hammonton First offer to debate. We have always felt that debates are positive ways to exchange ideas among parties and allow voters to make an informed choice. The Hammonton Democrats look forward to debating their ideas for keeping taxes low and bringing high-paying jobs to the Town.

However, the Hammonton Town Council is not the proper forum to discuss the rules and framework for a debate since it creates the perception of a conflict of interest. Town Council also may not have the legal authority to exercise oversight of any type of political debate. Additionally, we feel that Town Council could make better use of its time governing the town rather than concerning itself with political elections.

Instead, the Hammonton Democratic Campaign also proposes a meeting of campaign representatives but not during a Council meeting. The purpose of this meeting will be to determine the debate format and logistics as well as choose an un-biased moderator. Hammonton First and the Hammonton GOP should feel free to contact us at info@hammontondems.org to coordinate this meeting.


Click here to read the Hammonton News story about the debate.

Click here to read the Editorial from the Hammonton News.