Joseph Calabrese, the Democratic party’s candidate for First Selectman in Oxford, and his running mate David McKane, want to debate Republican candidate George Temple and his running mate, Jeffrey Haney.
Carol Georgette, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, announced their intent through a press release sent Wednesday afternoon to local media.
Temple, informed of the proposal by the Valley Indy Wednesday, said he would be willing to participate in the debate.
“Give me your best shot,” Temple said. “Let me know what you want to do, where you want to do it.”
The Democrats would be willing to include write-in candidate, Republican David Haversat, Georgette said.
Haversat announced his candidacy on Oct. 13.
Haversat said he had not received an invitation, but would personally welcome it.
“I would like to participate as a First Selectman candidate, absolutely,” Haversat said.
The Debate
Georgette said the Grange Hall on Oxford Road would be available Wednesday, Nov. 2, to hold the debate, if the opponents make themselves available.
Calabrese and McKane called upon residents who want to volunteer to help with the debate to contact them by e‑mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Calabrese and McKane said in a statement to the press it’s important for the voters to hear the candidates and ask questions about who they are, what their goals may be for Oxford.
Calabrese is currently First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers’ administrative assistant. McKane is seeking his sixth term on the Board of Selectmen.
Temple is an attorney who was formerly the town counsel for Oxford as well as Seymour. Haney is a veteran of the construction business and is a local karate teacher.
Haversat ran unsuccessfully for First Selectman in 2009, losing to incumbent Drayton-Rogers by 33 votes. He is a former member of the Board of Selectmen who served from 2003 to 2007.
