Forum Organizers: Dems Didn’t Show; Dems: We Told You We Wouldn’t

Pictured at the meet the candidates forum are candidates for local office, from left: Michael Raspantini, John Clark, Jim Leonick, Ed Smyth, Hector Gavilla, Dominic Spada, Suffolk Legislator William Spencer and state Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci. Town council write-in candidate Peter Nichols also attended the forum, but is not pictured.

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandernews.com  

Organizers of a meet the candidates forum and Democrats running in local elections are at odds after several candidates did not attend the forum last week.

Elwood Taxpayer Association President Heather Ross said last Thursday she extended invitations to Huntington Town Democratic Committee Chairwoman Mary Collins, but the invitations were declined due to the “open question format.”

However, Collins said the format of the forum was never discussed and that she informed the association “two weeks ahead of time” on behalf of the candidates that there were potential scheduling conflicts that may keep some from attending.

For the past 77 years, the forum has used the same open format, allowing those in attendance to ask unvetted question, said the association’s Director of Communications James Cameron. He added that around 100 people attended this year’s forum, which was held Oct. 11 at Elwood Public Library.

Republican candidates who attended are town highway superintendent candidate John Clark; candidate for Suffolk Legislature 16th District Hector Gavilla; town council candidates Jim Leonick and Ed Smyth; state Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci, who is running for town supervisor; and candidate for Suffolk Legislature 18th District Dom Spada.

Town council write-in Peter Nichols and Independent candidate for supervisor Michael Raspantini also attended.

Democrat and incumbent Suffolk 18th District Legislator William “Doc” Spencer, who is seeking reelection, gave a closing statement at the forum after arriving late due to a scheduling conflict, according to Cameron.

Democratic candidates Susan Berland, current councilwoman who is running for Suffolk Legislature 16th District; Mark Cuthbertson, current councilman who is running for reelection; Tracey Edwards, current councilwoman who is running for supervisor; Kevin Orelli, who is running for highway superintendent; and Emily Rogan, who is running for town council; did not attend the forum, Cameron said.