The two candidates for First Selectmen are squaring off in a debate Oct. 22 — but chances are you won’t be allowed in.
And neither will reporters.
You can forget about ever seeing it on video, too.
The debate will be held exclusively for residents of the Village at Oxford Greens.
Anthony Urso, president of the Oxford Greens Board of Directors, said his board voted to prohibit the general public and the press from attending or videotaping the event.
“This is an arrangement for candidates to answer questions and be free from video and the press,” he said. “The board sees it is a courtesy to the residents.”
There are 307 homes and about 650 residents in the Village at Oxford Greens.
There are about 12,300 residents in Oxford.
As of Wednesday, the only other scheduled debate between the candidates is scheduled to be handled by the high school’s debate club, according to the candidates.
The one-hour format at Oxford Greens would give Democratic Incumbent First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers and Republican challenger David Haversat opening statements, followed by a question and answer segment from residents.
“It will be timed and be as fair and neutral as possible,” Urso said.
Democratic and Republican selectmen candidates David McKane and David Yish will also be in attendance and participate in the Q&A segment.
Urso said this would be the second election season in which Oxford Greens is having a candidate’s forum.
Haversat, who is participating in his first candidate’s forum at Oxford Greens, said it was the board of director’s decision to determine who could and could not attend.
He added the board felt if it was open to the press it would have to be open to the public.
“It is like being invited into their home,” he said. “I was told it was solely for the members of that community.”
Rogers said this would be her second debate at Oxford Greens, noting that last election season videotaping of the event was allowed, but due to the board’s decision that has been discontinued.
“They would not allow any taping to take place this year, and they never allow any reporters or outside guests,” she said.
Rogers added she was concerned about not speaking to the entire community, but added that she respects the board’s decision.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
OxfordGreens residents have complained in the past about feeling like they are not a part of the community of Oxford, in reality, it is their own doing and this proves it. It’s not Oxford Greens, it’s Gitmo Greens!
I understand the event being for only those residents, but to not allow the press is an absolute joke. What are they afraid of? Is it that since the majority of these pretentious people are Republicans, they are afraid of how David Haversat is going to perform? David’s liason at Oxford Greens is Victor Catalano, a lawyer on the Oxford RTC. Why is Victor trying to protect David? Are they afraid of what may come out of this event? The Board who made this decision are mostly Republicans and at the direction of Victor Catalano, they have barred all Press.
As an Independant who wants to see how both candidates perform, how can I do that without any reporting being allowed?
Sure, there will be Press at the Highschool debate, but that debate is so late, that the reporting will not be available in the local papers before the election for readers to find out how the participants performed. Again, a calculated move by the RTC trying to protect David Haversat.
At the end of the day, its about CONTROL and the Palmer/Haversat administration of the past is once again rearing its ugly head.
The elitist group thinks they are better than the rest of the town and deserve a private viewing of the candidates. If this is truly a debate between candidates then it is a public event.
After reading the article an placing a few calls it says Anthony Urso, president of the Oxford Greens Board of Directors, said his board voted to prohibit the general public and the press from attending or videotaping the event. It is the Borad of Directors not Victor
Catalano. I understand that the Democrats agreed to all the terms and they were represented by Campaign Manager Gary Komar and Oxford Green Resident Peter Bunzl. So Crazy in Oxford is either dumb Dave McKane or Nasty Mr. Komar. So obvious The Dems. are afraid!
Why is this paper slanted to the left? Moderator only places Democrats comments on?
How are you funded, where is your grant from?
Good afternoon “Not Again . . .”
Sorry about the long delay in publishing your comments!
I was in Superior Court in Derby at 10 a.m., then Derby City Hall, then went home to get lunch (turkey and salami on rye) and just arrived in the office at 158 Main St., suite 305, Ansonia at 1 p.m.
(I also stopped to get gas — $2.85 for regular. AHH!)
No liberal bias on my part, I hope — just a lack of Internet access.
Sorry about that . . .
Oh, and our funding info is explained in the “about us” section at the top of the page.
If you Google us, you’ll see other sources confirming our “about us” section.
Feel free to call me anytime at 203 446 2335.
(My political views are: I believe everyone for five minutes.)
Those “Elitists” are part of our community. They pay taxes, support events and serve on our boards and commissions. We are lucky to have them. So much for “Together for Oxford”. If your community group, church or other organization wanted they could have organized a forum with the candidates as well.
Thank you Mr. Driscoll for the explanation. Left comments on other articles before that did not get posted, maybe a glitch?
Mr. Happy is correct. How nasty these people get and to salm a community that brings millions in taxes, volunteers for the community. Looks like The democratic Party made a mistake with Komar again. No wonder the guy never can get elected, he just cost them an election. Darn right, I’m changing my party Registration from a Independent to a Republican because I’m tired of what’s happening in thethisuntry and in Oxford. The democrats are bunch of nasty, angry people.
As a Republican, I agree that the residents of Oxford Greens do appear to be Elitists, so if that is what the Democrats say, then I must have some Democratic views as well. For them to complain about not feeling welcome and then to bar the public and Press from this function only serves to hurt their image even more.
Not Again and Mr Happy, you do not represent the Republicans who are looking for Oxford to be a great community, you represent the Republicans that support the likes of Palmer and his group of fools. The “nastiness” you are referring to comes from the likes of the “old” regime Republicans, which is why a whole new group of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents need to be elected!
Wow it’s amazing how one observation can trigger so much hostility. The “elitist” comment was made by a registered republican, but that really doesn’t matter. The point I find most disturbing is not the event itself, but the immediate hostile response and name calling that ensued.
The original statement was regarding article. The headline itself suggests a separatist group. It seems that every time anyone disagrees with the Palmer group they are chastised as polarizing the town to Reps vs Dems. Until we can get past this childish thinking “Together for Oxford” will remain nothing more than a catch phrase.
DadinOxford
I apologize if welcoming neighbors into our community upsets you. Regardless if residents are democrats, republicans, independents or any other political party; regardless of whether they are 20 or 80 they are still our neighbors. Working with our neighbors to make Oxford a better place will benefit all of us. If it were not for the tax revenue from our senior communities we would not be able to afford our High School. As far as who I represent, I represent myself and do not pretend to speak for any group. I am happy to see that Dave Haversat has been able to bring the Republican Party back together for the betterment of the town. Instead of throwing stones DadinOxford try reaching out a helping hand on occasion, it just might teach your children what community is all about.
I am amazed that people are being so NASTY to each other. This is about our town. I would hate to think that this is how we want our kids to behave. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and some people in town still don’t get it. I wish I could agree that Mr. Haversat has helped change the tide. But I see the same people writing, attending meetings and making accusations. I believe that if the Oxford Green’s community wishes to have an event, they are under no obligation to invite in the entire town.
OHS is planning a debate. The kids will be creating the questions with NO political agendas. It is open to the community.
Attention Everyone – Citizen1 is Debbie Sherman and David McKane. They are both running on the Democratic Ticket. So now you know, how mean they are and send a message because they already lost the election! How great!
Not again has no clue who anybody is…He thinks Citizen1 is Debbie Sherman and David McKane, yet further below in his post on October 15, 2009 9:10am, he says that I am “dumb Dave McKane or Nasty Mr. Komar”. In reality, not again needs to GET A CLUE!
I’m going to guess that Citizen1 is either Joe Rasberry, Augie Plamer, or David Haversat, and their only agenda is to mislead the public and make things totally up. It’s OK, the truth will be coming out very shortly. What they don’t realize about the things they are proclaiming are in DIRECT OPPOSITION of their own parties views. Then we’ll have to see them explain their way out of a corner!
Why do you want to know where I live Citizen1?
You going to pull your democrat bully techniques of strong arming and shouting and calling people liars. Not going anywhere you fool!
We’ll just leave the bullying and lying with Joe Rasberry, Augie Palmer, and Dave Haversat, where it’s always been!
All I can say is WOW.. Some of you just have to try and damage whoever you can with negative comments.Why the stories? another nasty comment made just to hurt people. So much for the sense of community.. Damaging reputations and lying is not a way to win a clean election. Facts speak.
PS.. Debbie is not Citizen 1.
Awesome job Mary Ann tonight at the OG forum! Dave looked nervous and unsure of himself. You couldn’t have done any better. The residents who attended at OG should now have no doubt that you are the best candidate to lead Oxford forward!
Hi Neighbor! Crazy in Oxford way off base. David had no notes, spoke with confidence and knew all the issues. Mary Ann’s been in office for two years and had to read from letters and note cards. Everyone recognized Mary Ann and her negative facial expressions of hate. Mr. Haversat was an absolute gentlemen. We are 100% supporting Haversat now, no question. Dave won hands down. PS. Mary Ann’s running mate looked like a scared rabbit.
I am not off-base at all. David did good in the beginning, but lost a LOT of steam as the night went on. At times, he could not even compete with Mary Ann and seemed confused. Mary Ann stated FACTS about Affordable Housing and David did not. David looked inexperienced when standing next to Mary Ann and it came out in his performance. Mary Ann showed a lot of passion and this is important because it shows you she really cares about the community she lives in.
Hands down, Mary Ann did a better job then David and now the rest of the residents will be able to see it when the debate at the High School takes place.
The residents of Oxford should be proud to know they have a competent and trustworthy person whom they can rely on to carry Oxford forward.
Great job Mary Ann!
Hello,
While we welcome comments — especially about last night’s debate, which we could not attend — please try to remember to be civil.
Thank you!
Mary Ann was lost without her notes and turned off about a dozen people I spoke with about her tone. Mr. Haversat was a gentleman, answered every question, and was calm and cool. Something we need in a leader, not pushy like Mary Ann.
Hmmm…having notes and facts is a problem for not again? I seem to recall that EVERY debate I have ever seen, state-wide or national, the participants ALWAYS have notes. David not having notes and not being able to clearly answer many questions showed that he did not put much effort into his performance. Not putting forth your best effort when our town’s future is at stake is not a trait of someone I want as a First Selectman.
Mary Ann had a command of what she wanted to say and the message she wanted to get across and it clearly showed. David did not, many times he looked as if he was searching for an answer in his head and when he spoke, it was not very concise.
From the people I have spoken to who went to the debate with an OPEN mind, they said Mary Ann came across very well and had more of a grasp of the issues at hand. While David may SEEM nice, his knowledge of the issues did not come across very well and he appeared to show his immaturity (young age), especially on Affordable Housing, the main issue Republicans are lying about in the public domain.
This is for “not again.” I believe your comments are uncalled for and totally disrespectful. I wish this on-line newspaper would do away with the “comments” section because this is out of control.
Hmmm… I’ve never seen a debate where the candidates have all the questions prepared on paper. Which raises the question who runs the town? Town Council, maybe that Schuler guy? Without them by her side she is lost. So they must have written out what she had to say. Shows Haversat knows the facts and thinks on his feet. The fact he’s not the incumbent and spoke in detail about each issue without prepared scripts is impressive. Drayton did not have a good handle on the housing issue, really changed her tune multiple times. The public can see that.