We have a debate...

...for the position of Common Council (at large) that is.

Here's the press release:

The Danbury Area LWV will sponsor a debate for Common Council candidates running for the seven at-large positions on Danbury ’s Common Council. The debate will take place on Tuesday, October 27th at 7:00 pm at the Ives Concert Hall on the midtown campus of Western Connecticut State University. The debate is open to the public and all fourteen candidates have been invited to participate.

“There are six incumbents seeking re-election to the Council at large”, stated LWV President Carol R. Elder, “and eight other candidates, some first-time office seekers, contending for the privilege of representing Danbury ’s 75,000 residents.”

Danbury ’s 21 member Common Council is made up of two Council members elected from each of the city’s seven wards plus seven Council members elected at large to represent all city residents, regardless of the ward they live in.

“This combination of having some local representatives to address neighborhood issues, and some at large representatives, to address more universal issues, gives our legislative body the chance to really reflect the diversity in our community,” stated Elder.

“Many Danbury residents don’t realize that the at large Council Members on the Common Council represent them as well, “she concluded.

This debate will give voters an opportunity to hear these candidates respond to six predetermined questions and make a closing statement. The debate will also be taped by John Neumuller for Danbury Live and broadcast on Comcast Channel 23.

This is the first time in my memory that I can remember the candidates for Common Council (at-Large) agreeing to a debate...in fact, this is a GREAT idea that ALL candidates for the Common Council should take note of in the future.