To the editor:
On October 10, 2021 the Phillipsport Community Center hosted its traditional “Meet the Candidates” event, which they've been hosting for 50 years, scheduling one after the Wurtsboro Board of Trade was unable to receive a commitment from all the local candidates.
The Wurtsboro Board of Trade wanted to host an event this year to meet all the local candidates. They asked Bill Lucas, who normally conducts the PCC event, to be the moderator. It was to be held in the community room at the Mamakating Town Hall.
After reaching out to all the candidates, the Republican candidates did not want to attend, saying things like it would be too partisan, there are cameras in the room, and they wanted no reporters. The Wurtsboro Board of Trade did not want to appear partisan, so they canceled the event.
Bill Lucas scrambled to organize the traditional PCC “Meet the Candidates” event. He reached out to both Republican and Democrat candidates for Town Supervisor and Wards 2 and 3 Council seats with two possible dates. Ward 3 candidate John Lacey never even bothered to respond. Mike Robbins, candidate for supervisor, responded that he was too busy. Gary Forthoffer, candidate for Ward 2, sent a late response that he couldn’t attend.
There was no challenger for the current Highway Superintendent, so that position was not included. Those that did attend were Janet Lybolt, incumbent Town Supervisor; Graham Vest, candidate and former councilman for Ward 2; Matt Mordas, current chair of the Zoning Board, for Ward 3 council seat. After each one introduced themselves and their vision for the town, a question and answer session was held.
If candidates appear to not want to answer to you, their constituents, who do they answer to? What are they afraid of?!

Christine Saward
Summitville