10262011 - News Article - Velazquez issues debate challenge to Snyder

Velazquez issues debate challenge to Snyder
NWI Times
Oct 26, 2011
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/velazquez-issues-debate-challenge-tosnyder/article_34c5e425-119d-5578-bd13-c9fe80d2556e.html
PORTAGE | With less than two weeks left before the Nov. 8 election, Mayor Olga Velazquez has issued a challenge to her opponent, Republican James Snyder.

Velazquez said she wants to debate Snyder "any place, any time."

"Just last week, we enjoyed an open to the public forum hosted by the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce where we both publicly discussed our vision to the public followed by questions from the public," Snyder said in response to Velazquez' challenge.

Velazquez said she does not believe the chamber forum was a debate. She added Snyder said he was too busy to debate her last week on a radio program, but held a press conference the same day to criticize her.

"I've had enough," she said, adding she wants residents to have the chance to hear about the issues directly from the candidates instead of "half-truths, misleading facts and whisper campaigns."

"Around 650 Portage voters attended our Portage neighbor night at Woodland Park earlier this month where I took very pointed and direct questions from the residents, most of whom I had never met," Snyder said. "We have been taking our message for nearly eight months of public safety, jobs and fiscal responsibility directly to the Portage residents. Our message is being well received by the voters, and we are looking forward to Nov. 8."