CEPTA Confirms Debate Will Happen Without Slattery
John Donches, President of the Concerned East Penn Taxpayers Association (CEPTA), says tonight’s CEPTA debate will happen as planned.
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The President of the Concerned East Penn Taxpayers Association (CEPTA) confirmed that tonight’s CEPTA-sponsored debate in Emmaus will continue as planned, with or without an appearance by Democratic candidate Patrick Slattery.
Tonight’s event has been advertised as an opportunity to get to know the candidates running in the April 24 special election to fill the 134th District House seat. The seat has been vacant since Doug Reichley took his seat on the bench in the Lehigh County Courthouse in January.
Earlier today Slattery issued a statement making it known that he won't participate in the debate scheduled for 7:30 tonight, as a result of a lawsuit filed in Lehigh County Court yesterday.
Donches, a former candidate for Emmaus Borough Council and former Emmaus Borough Councilman Otto Slozer are the plaintiffs in that lawsuit.
Donches says he called Slattery’s office to try to reassure Slattery’s political team that he will have no role in tonight’s debate, which will be moderated by Emmaus resident Giovanni Landi.
Both Donches and Landi were defeated in their bids for Emmaus Borough Council in the November 2011 general election.
Slattery is running against Republican candidate Ryan Mackenzie of South Whitehall in the special election. The winner of that race will fulfill the remainder of Reichley’s term.
Mackenzie is also running for the Republican slot on the November general election ballot for the 134th District House seat. In that race, he faces Arlene Dabrow.
Donches says he expects both Mackenzie and Dabrow to attend tonight’s CEPTA event.
Tim Killimaji
6:31 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
if there is no opponent, is it really a debate or just a campaign rah rah session of simple thinkers?
Garrett Rhoads
7:34 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
There are two candidates still attending. Therefore by definition, an opponent and a debate to be had. Which ones are the simple thinkers again?
Ron Beitler
9:00 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Make that one candidate.... No show for Mackenzie. Arlene Dabrow was the only candidate present. She did a good job seemed sincere, strong on issues relating to seniors. Met her briefly afterword. She will be on the ballot vs. Mackenzie in the republican primary on the 24th.