Republican Candidates Bag Political Debate
Armstrong County Commissioner Candidates Pat Fabian and George Skamai were the only two on stage during a debate sponsored by Downtown Kittanning, Inc. last night.
by Jonathan Weaver
Earlier this week, it was the two Democratic Armstrong County commissioner candidates missing from a scheduled debate.
Last night, though, it was the two Republican candidates.
In Lenape Tech’s school cafeteria, more than two dozen residents joined to listen to the four candidates discuss the county’s future during a Downtown Kittanning, Inc. debate, but both Republican Incumbent David Battaglia and Newcomer Jason Renshaw did not take their seats on the stage.
Only candidates Pat Fabian, of Manor Township, and George Skamai, of Rural Valley, discussed 20 questions submitted by voters – including their ideas to reduce spending, improve education and stimulate economic development.
President Ray Voller and Moderator Linda Hemmes were both concerned with the Republican candidates’ absence.
“The fact that the Republicans didn’t show up was really disheartening, but I think (Fabian and Skamai) made a good showing,” Voller said. “The voters of Armstrong County need to hear the way these people talk and what they have to say.”
Contacted after the meeting, Renshaw said he had previous commitments to his campaign schedule and a dinner to attend.
DKI Secretary Lynda Pozzuto still thought the event was “very good.”
“It’s always good for any information to get out to the public,” Pozzuto said. “The election’s coming up, and it was a great opportunity to ask some one-on-one questions – you don’t always get the opportunity to ask the candidates one-on-one, so I think it was definitely a benefit to the community.”
Vice-President Jack Bennett said Fabian and Skamai’s answers in several areas will help him cast his ballot the first week of November.
All four candidates are scheduled to attend a debate at West Shamokin Junior-Senior High Tuesday evening.
Local News | jweaver October 16, 2015
By jorn jensen, October 16, 2015 @ 9:19 AM
“Earlier this week, it was the two Democratic Armstrong County commissioner candidates missing from a scheduled debate.” and they each defended their absence, last night, with very good, honest answers (to me, personally, anyhow) and I appreciate and respect that.
Page two - “Contacted after the meeting, Renshaw said he had previous commitments to his campaign schedule and a dinner to attend.” Truth. The republicans had their dinner party at the Elks last night and that was more important than meeting with the public in a public forum.
So, do we have problems? You bet we do.
Pat Fabian and George Skamai did a great job at Lenape last night. I’ve asked for their campaign posters.
People need to get off the couch and get out to these events to meet the people who will be running their tax lives for the next 4 years. Really.
“including their ideas to reduce spending, improve education, and stimulate economic development.” all conservative values coming out of two democrat candidates. They weren’t talking like Obama or Bernie Sanders.
So, to those democrats that value responsible government, I apologize for calling them tax-and-spend democrats. There are responsible government democrats out there - just need to be able to identify them.
Ray Voller’s words are excellent - “(Fabian and Skamai) made a good showing. The voters of Armstrong County need to hear the way these people talk and what they have to say.”
“Vice-president Jack Bennett said Fabian and Skamai’s answers in several areas will help him cast his ballot the first week of November.” BINGO, Jack!
You people on the couch - get out there to the debate at West Shamokin on Tuesday night. Take an interest in the future of this county.