Join The Debate!

Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand - Colin Powell

The tradition of our nation has always emphasized the importance of individual citizens participating in the lives of their local communities – in the political, economic, and social life of the larger community.  While we all properly and steadfastly resist anyone telling us how to think, we are encouraged to exercise the freedom we have been given to participate in the wider society, and engage in a discussion with others in the the public arena as to what direction we wish our government leaders to go.  

Toward that end, I want to let you know about an upcoming debate that is being hosted by Gracepoint Gospel Fellowship (384 New Hempstead Road, New City) as part of the upcoming election for County Executive.  This is probably the most important election that has been held in Rockland County in the past 25 years. Rockland County is in a fiscal crisis; it faces seemingly intractable social issues; and it has environmental issues that beg for solutions.

The debate will involve the two candidates for Rockland County Executive - Ed Day and David Fried. The author of this blog will be one of the co-moderators. I will be joined by Steve Possell from WRCR and Professor Michel Vilson.  The event is scheduled for Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 7:00 p.m., and will be a good opportunity to learn more about the candidates in this important election.

Steve Possell (with Meredyth Glover) host a morning show on WRCR (1300 AM) and keep their many guests in Rockland up to speed on all fronts. On the morning show one can catch up on the leading political and social issues impacting our neighborhood’s quality of life. News, traffic and weather at the top of each hour sets the day off with all you need to know to get to where you’re headed. 

Michel Vilson has an M.S. degree in Environmental Science.  He served in the US Navy as medical corpsman and then joined Lederle Laboratories in Pearl River. Michel has served as a member of the Board of Haitian American Parents Association (HAPA);  member of the Board of Haitian American Cultural and Social Organization (HACSO);  Concerned Advocates for Public School (CAPS); and the Town of Ramapo African Twinning Committee. Michel also presents an educational segment on cable television every Sunday. 

Michael Hull was born in Ireland where he obtained a First Class Honors BSc degree and a PhD degree in Science. He has lived in Rockland County for 35 years and in retirement writes articles on philosophy and political affairs. Michael was a Past President of the Clarkstown Summer Theatre Festival and is an elder in the Germonds Presbyterian Church.

I would invite you to submit questions that you would like me to ask on your behalf.  You may give a little preamble to your question but construct it in such a way that it can be read in 30 seconds or less.  

A couple of ground-rules ......

1) Normally I do not delete comments from my blog unless they are clearly offensive but in this blog I shall delete questions that I think are not relevant to the County Executive race.  That will simply alert you to submit another question if you wish.

2) Please do not give your opinion on someone else's question either negative or positive.  If you can offer an improvement or a suggested change reference the comment and give your suggested alternative.

3) 'Out-of-the-box' questions will have a higher probability of being asked. Questions phrased from an ethical or moral perspective about how local government should function are welcomed.

4) Please do not debate the issues in the comments to this blog. That is for the candidates to do on October 3rd following which we can debate their responses.

5) Keep your questions non-partisan to the extent possible. Many issues at the local level are neither Democrat or Republican issues but citizen and taxpayer issues. 

Obviously, in a two hour debate I will not be able to get all of your questions in but I promise I will pick several from the ones you submit.  I expect that the candidates will follow this blog and prepare their responses. This is to be welcomed as the objective is not to play 'gotcha' with those who are submitting themselves to our service in local government.  

I intend, as time permits, to allow the candidates to comment on any reply that is given to your questions and indeed if the candidates decide to go back and forth on an issue with some vigor it would be my preference not to interrupt their exchange of views. 

The auditorium holds over 900 people so there will be plenty of room for everyone to attend.

I shall look forward to seeing you there even if many of you come hidden beneath your aliases. ;-)

In every debate, whatever the format, whatever the questions, there is one and only one way to identify the winner: Who commands the room? Who drives the narrative? Who is in charge? - Jeff Greenfield

This blog is authored by Michael N. Hull, a retired senior citizen who writes opinion pieces on local political issues. He is a Director of Clarkstown Residents Opposing Patronage with Tom Nimick and Ralph Sabatini.  Hull contributes periodically to the Facebook page Clarkstown: What They Don't Want You To Know and on Twitter.