Elections 2016: Debate Over Whether to Debate Continues in Moorestown

Moorestown, NJ -- The debate over whether to debate continues in Moorestown.

Last month, the Republican candidates for council in November’s elections challenged the Democrats to a debate, saying “In a year where the stakes are so high and misinformation is running rampant, we feel it's important to call all six candidates to the table and debate the many important issues in our community.”

Mayor Phil Garwood, Deputy Mayor Victoria Napolitano and fellow Republican candidate Mike Locatell will run against Councilwoman Lisa Petriello and candidates Kati Angelini and Amy Leis, who represent the Democrats’ slate.

In their response, the Democrats referred to their past efforts to debate, in which the Republicans said that by the time the challenge was made, there wasn’t enough time to put together a meaningful debate.

“In 2016 the Democrats again reached out to the MBA (Moorestown Business Association) in March to ensure lack of time would not be an issue for the Republican candidates to turn down another debate,” the Democratic candidates said in a press release last week. “The MBA agreed to sponsor the debate with the LWV (League of Women Voters) as the moderators.”

The MBA approved sponsorship of the debate on April 6.

However, the Republicans rejected that offer because they feel they say the Board for the League of Women Voters consists entirely of Democrats, creating a potential atmosphere for an unfair debate, according to a string of emails exchanged between the two sides that have been provided by the Democrats’ Campaign Manager Kristen Babcock.

The Democrats have countered by saying the LWV handles all local debates, including school board, congressional and freeholder races.

“The non-partisan LWV is an accomplished and credible organization with notable achievements since their founding in 1919. The LWV is heavily trained in debate moderation and deserves more credit. They successfully facilitate debates from our School Boards to local levels of government, to Congressional, Senatorial, Gubernatorial and Presidential elections across the country,” Petriello, Angelini and Leis said in a release last week. “The citizens of Moorestown deserve a legitimate debate moderated by a legitimate organization. We strongly encourage the Republican candidates to reconsider their stance and have a respectful debate with us this fall. Give the taxpayers, our residents, what they deserve. We look forward to discussing the town's issues with you.”

Garwood, Napolitano and Locatell countered by suggesting the Ethics Board moderate the debates, with one moderator a Democrat and one a Republican.

Petriello, Angelini and Leis countered by pointing out the Ethics Committee is a group of people appointed by elected government officials, which they say causes an ethical issue having them involved in a non-partisan debate.

“We are not sure why (Babcock) is afraid of using two outstanding citizens, one being the last sitting Democratic Mayor in town," Garwood, Napolitano and Locatell said in a previous release. "We will let our offer stand if they change their mind.”

With each side offering objections to the other side’s suggestions, they are each claiming the other party is choosing not to debate. Unless the sides can come to a compromise, it appears this election cycle will go by without a debate between the candidates.