Luongo calls Davidson out

Gloucester County Times, August 9, 2000

Mayor proposes series of debates; challenger hedges on idea

By BARBARA GREEN
Staff Writer

WASHINGTON TWP. — They’re debating the debates.

After winning the Republican June primary, Mayor Gerald Luongo challenged Democratic mayoral candidate Councilwoman Randee Davidson to five debates.

He claims he won’t settle for less than four.

She says she won’t participate in more than one.

And that’s saying nothing of the format.

Luongo initially suggested that two of the debates be organized by Rowan University, two by the media, and one by the high school.

Rowan responded, scheduling two for October, each to run about an hour and 15 minutes. The debates would be moderated by Rowan Radio’s student news director, and would feature panelists from Rowan’s student body and faculty, Comcast Cable and the Times.

The format — a very standard one, according to Rowan Radio General Manager Frank Hogan — would include three parts: a 30-minute question-and-answer session, in which panelists ask candidates questions; a 30-minute session in which candidates ask each other questions; and then a six-minute closing statement, in which each candidate makes comments.

Luongo accepted Rowan’s terms last week.

Davidson and her running mates drafted a letter Thursday that she said she will send to the university today, explaining her position.

Rowan Radio has been running local debates for at least five years.

Luongo said he thinks of it as a public service — Rowan provides the space and organizes the event, and then broadcasts it on its radio station and Internet Web site. And with Comcast participating, the debate would also air on a local cable channel.

“I think we really licensed to serve the public interest,” he said. “I can’t even think of a base where someone refuses to debate. One of the unique things about the debate is it gives candidates an opportunity to ask each other questions. In the rebuttal, they can get into the issues more, where it’s not so controlled.”

But it’s exactly that aspect — candidates questioning each other — that Davidson said she takes issue with.

“That is sort of thing that could just be done at regular council meetings,” she said. “We have every opportunity to discuss things at a council meeting. I think that’s been done throughout the year,” she said. “I don’t think a debate is needed.”

Davidson said she would consider answering questions posed by panelists, but does not want to question Luongo directly.

Luongo said Davidson’s request that the candidates not question each other during the debate, forget it, Luongo said.

If she wants to debate at least one issue facing the township, she should be able to face the man she’s seeking to replace, one-on-one, he said.

“She’s made comments in the newspaper. She’s made comments publicly. Why is she afraid to debate me? She’s never answered any of my questions during a council meeting. She’s always had councilmen and lawyers do that for her,” he said.

(Lyns and Mr. (Raymond) Raposelli, answer for her,” he said. “The idea is for me to respond to her statements, her to respond to my statements, support or impeach my answers to your questions. Doesn’t she watch the presidential debates? She’s running for mayor, not president of the alumni club. Don’t you think the public has the right to see what the candidates have to offer?”