TOMS RIVER – The Jewish Federation of Ocean County, the Toms River NAACP and the League of Women Voters partnered up to create a state and county candidates forum that was held at the Toms River Library.
The recent event was to have featured legislative district candidates from districts 9,10, 12, and 30 and the Republican and Democratic candidates for the Ocean County Board of Commissioners.
One seat is up for grabs in the commissioners’ race as long-time serving Commissioner Joseph H. Vicari is not seeking re-election. The Democrat and Republican contenders did not participate in the forum.
Jersey Shore Online’s Bob Vosseller served as moderator. (Photo by Jason Allentoff)
Seven candidates took part in the forum at the library. They included: 9th District Senate candidate Gabriel Franco, 9th District Assembly candidate Joe Atura, 10th District Senate candidate Jeff Horn, 10th District Assembly candidate Emma Mammano, 12th District Senate candidate Brandon A. Rose, 12th District Assembly candidate Paul Sarti and 12th District Assembly candidate Raya Arbiol.
Each of the candidates who attended were Democrats. 12th District Republican candidate Alex Sauickie, an incumbent, had confirmed to attend but learned of a scheduling conflict that prevented his attendance.
Each of the invited candidates of both parties were also sent the three questions in advance and were able to respond to them via e-mail. Sauickie responded, as did the 9th District GOP candidates: Berkeley Mayor Carmen Amato for Senate, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, and Stafford Mayor Gregory Myhre for Assembly.
Attendees at the recently held state and county candidate’s forum sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Ocean County, the Toms River NAACP and the League of Women Voters enjoy listening to the seven candidates who took part in the live forum at the Toms River Library. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
The Jewish Federation of Ocean County listed the responses to those questions sent via e-mail to their website. The three questions ranged from what they would fight extremism and hate, help families gain access to childcare, and their plans on property taxes, affordable housing and homelessness. The answers from the responding candidates can be found by visiting jewishoceancounty.org/cn
The candidate forum was moderated by Micromedia Publications/JerseyShoreOnline.com Assistant News Editor Bob Vosseller.
This follows similar performances where the GOP candidates in Brick and Toms River municipal races declined debates. The GOP also pulled out of another debate in Barnegat. In these three cases, the debates were cancelled since the organizers didn’t want it to only be one side.
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