It was a pleasant success. People were generally pleased with the outcome, and when there was disagreement, no one was the least bit disagreeable.
The HVDU’s first foray into election debates, rather than issue debates, kept us close to home, as we held the first debate among the Democratic and Republican candidates for the Stony Point Town Council.
Appearing for the Democrats were town supervisor candidate Peter Muller and town council candidates Luanne Konopko and incumbent Geoff Finn. Appearing for the Republicans were town supervisor candidate Hon. William Sherwood (a former State Supreme Court judge) and town council candidates Jerry Rogers and Stephen Fischer.
An audience of nearly 100 Stony Pointers assembled in the Senior Club hall of the Rho Building of Letchworth Village to hear out the six Principal Speakers. Most of the Stony Point Voting Guests had never been to an Oxford-style debate before, so there was some hesitation in calling out Points of Information, but a few brave souls made the attempt and were answered by the Principal Speakers.
When the question was called, the House split almost evenly — 45 votes (red chips) to the Republicans, 41 votes (green chips) to the Democrats.
The HVDU would like to thank Noreen Smith of Stony Point Parks and Recreation, and current Town Supervisor Phil Marino in arranging the use of the hall, and George Potanovic of Potanovic Photography and the Stony Point Action Committee for the Environment for videotaping the event. We will be posting clips of the debate at this space once we have them edited down and uploaded to YouTube; in the meantime, the following stills from the event will give an idea of the atmosphere that evening.
The HVDU now has a new permanent event sign -- looks a lot better than the old one
The Democratic team -- right to left: Peter Muller, supervisor candidate; Geoff Finn, incumbent and town council candidate, and (partially hidden) Luanne Konopko, town council candidate. A reporter for the 'Rockland County Times' at left, and photographer George Potanovic behind the videocam
The Republican team -- left to right, supervisor candidate Hon. William Sherwood, town council candidates Jerry Rogers and Steve Fischer
After the speeches, Bill Sherwood meets with a Stony Pointer
Jerry Rogers meets with Voting Guests
Geoff Finn and some pleased Voting Guests
Peter Muller goes into more detail with a Voting Guest
Retired Town Councilwoman Joanne Conklin was a Voting Guest
Current Town Highway Superintendent Larry Brissing (center) and former Town Supervisor A. Douglas Jobson (right) were in attendance.
The spirited discussion continues afterward
Current Town Justice Frank Phillips chats with Stony Point Democratic Chairman John Brenner
Chief Teller Richard Eggers (left) and his colleagues count out the Voting Chips
