Anyone who knows anything about political debates recognizes the importance of the Lincoln/Douglas debates in American history. Abraham Lincoln was running against Stephen Douglas for Senator from Illinois. The Senate campaign featured seven debates between Lincoln and Douglas.
These were the most famous political debates in American history. They had an atmosphere akin to a prizefight and drew crowds in the thousands. The principals stood in stark contrast both physically and politically.
Four years ago, George Latimer debated Rob Astorino at Iona College in New Rochelle. It was moderated by a guy named Richard French whose father owned one of the networks on our 500 channel television sets. Astorino packed the house with county employees who were given the ‘subtle’ direction to go. French couldn’t control the debate. The Astorino supporters acted like animals.
I felt bad for State Senator George Latimer who ended up winning the County Executive race. The debate was held at Iona College. The President of the college sat in the audience while this debacle went on. In my mind it will always be a stain on Iona College, a school where many friends were educated and with a stellar reputation.
2021. County Executive race. George Latimer running for re-election against Republican Party activist and long time Westchester government employee Christine Sculti. Sculti is a good dancer. I danced with her years ago at a friends wedding.
Sculti has been called upon to participate in debates, forums, candidates events, etc. and has refused. She even refused to appear on the WVOX AM morning show featuring Dennis Nardone and Miss Connie. Two of the nicest, fairest people. I learned about this when I had a forum set up for candidates for Westchester County Legislative District 15 featuring Democrat Ruth Walter and Republican James Nolan last Thursday on the Westchester Rising Radio Show on WVOX.
(By the way when I confirmed the forum as I do the day before with the candidates, Nolan informed me that, ‘Sorry due to a scheduling conflict I won’t be able to attend, hope it goes well! This after we went out of our way to accommodate him. We continued the forum with Ms Walter who gave an excellent presentation on what she has done as a County Legislator.)
I then heard that Republican candidates in Westchester were not participating in debates, forums or even making radio show appearances. There’s this distrust of the media probably inherited from the former President.
Sculti is a personable candidate. And Latimer is not one to load an audience up with rowdy supporters. Nor go nuts after his opponent as Astorino did four years ago.
I tried to make sense of what was going on here. I made it my goal to try to get Sculti to appear on WVOX in a discussion of the issues with Latimer. I think of myself as a fair person. Since I started voting in 1978 I have never voted a straight Democratic ticket. How could I have voted against Republican State Senator John ‘Chippy’ Flynn. I would have been tarred and feather in Yonkers if I did.
My Cousin was State Assemblyman Republican Alvin Suchin, well respected by his colleagues in Albany. His mom who was my mom’s first cousin, Evelyn Suchin was Vice Chairperson of the Westchester Republican Party. So I have bipartisan blood in my body.
I wrote to Ms. Sculti requesting her to appear on the radio. I wrote to the person who apparently runs the Republican campaigns in Westchester. I have gotten a response from neither.
Made me think of my cousin Assemblyman Suchin. For some reason I was upset with his fellow Republican, Yonkers Mayor Angelo Martinelli and penned a letter to him. He always responded whether or not he agreed with you. As did Senator Flynn. My, have times changed when people don’t have the decency to respond to an invitation!
So there we are. Sculti’s war chest is small compared to Latimer’s. She should take advantage of any and every opportunity to be heard. Abraham Lincoln agreed to 7 debates. I guess she’s no Abraham Lincoln.
Voters have the right to see and hear candidates discuss the issues. I had a successful discussion of all things Yonkers with City Council President Candidates Lakesha Collins Bellamy and Ron Matten. Both Democrat Tim Hodges and Republican Anthony Merante will discuss issues in their Yonkers district October 21 10 a.m. on WVOX.
I vowed I would never participate in the type of candidates forum that took place at Iona 4 years ago. Candidates have always brought their posse’s to cheer them on at open debates. Cheering on is simply not acting like animals.
The invitation is still open. With all due respect, County Executive George Latimer has never met a microphone he didn’t like. I know he will participate. If only the Republican candidate would participate in a forum as did her predecessors who built this great nation!
NYC Congestion Pricing-The Next Gimmick to Take Money out of Your Pocket
I remotely addressed the New York City Congestion Pricing Task Force recently. There are proposals that would put a toll on vehicles that go south of 60th Street in Manhattan. The stated goal is to reduce traffic congestion in New York City. The real goal is to raise money to ‘improve’ mass transit. How many more taxes, tolls, etc. are they going to put on consumers including those from Westchester to pay for mass transit?
There are limited details on how much the tolls will cost. $9-$15 is the range you hear. Think people who are working from home in Westchester and the suburbs now due to Covid? Watch the increase if they put these exorbitant tolls in place. Minimal information and a way for you to weigh in on this insanity is available at http://new.mta.info/project/CBDTP
Speakers were given a measly 2 minutes to provide testimony remotely. I spoke at the hearing for the Hudson Valley and was #3 after 2 upstate legislators so I don’t think many folks from Westchester spoke. I share with you my testimony:
“You should be ashamed in the middle of a pandemic to be talking about congestion pricing. People where I live in Yonkers have no convenient 24 hour a day public transit options into New York City. People are afraid due to Covid to ride public transit. Many like me go into New York City for cultural experiences at night and weekends. No congestion then there should be no congestion pricing. No details on pricing disgraceful. Concentrate on using toll money we pay to fix the potholes that destroy our cars. Think fix, not tax. 2 minutes to comment. Who are you kidding. Opening up New York. Have live public hearings! “
Tips of the Day: You can get your flu shot at the same time as your Covid vaccination. You should be able to wash your hands before you eat. Complain, even tweet the company if a restaurant or fast food joint has closed their bathroom as the Manager at the Dunkin Donuts at 269 South Central Avenue in Hartsdale said to me because of ‘Covid.’ Some folks just suffer from terminal dumbness!
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show Thursday’s from 10-11 a.m. On WVOX 1460 AM, go to WVOX.com and click the arrow to listen to the live stream or download the WVOX app from the App Store free of charge.
