The Forum Newsgroup will join with the Queens Chronicle once again in hosting a debate, this time between incumbent Sen. Joseph Addabbo and his challenger in the race, Councilman Eric Ulrich.
This is the third successive collaboration between the two newspapers who this year invited the good government group, Citizens Union to join them in sponsoring the event.
The event is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18 at Our Lady of Grace Church, at 100-05 159 Ave. in Howard Beach.
The debate is highly anticipated by Howard Beach residents and surrounding communities who have flocked to the event in years past. Several hundred people are expected to attend this match which is being touted as what could present as the closest state legislative race in the entire state.
Residents throughout the 15th Senate District are encouraged to attend and to submit questions for the candidates. Questions can be mailed directly to The Forum, 102-05 159th Avenue, Howard Beach NY 11414 or emailed to HYPERLINK “mailto:forumsouth@gmail.com” forumsouth@gmail.com. Please put debate questions in the subject header.
Forum Publisher Patricia Adams says the debate is something the community has come to depend on over the years. “Since we began putting these debates together we have seen public interest grow. We appreciate the community’s faith in both The Forum and The Chronicle as the most reliable sources to keep them informed about the political pulse of the neighborhood.” Adams said that she was definitely looking forward to moderating what promises to be a spirited debate that would prove very informative to those in attendance.
The redistricting of the 15th District, which Addabbo won in 2008, took place at the end of last year and changed the face of the district to include parts of Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Far Rockaway and the Rockaway Peninsula up to Breezy Point. In addition, the district retained the parts of Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Middle Village, Glendale and Woodhaven it had initially.
The redistricting process has shed a more favorable GOP light than it did when Addabbo captured the seat in 2008, defeating long-time Republican, Serphin Maltese.
Ulrich gained the backing Senate Republicans but had to meet challenger Juan Reyes in a primary, which he won by 40 points, while Addabbo faced no primary challenges
Addabbo is running on the Democratic and Working Families party lines, with Ulrich seeking votes on the Republican, Conservative and Independence party lines.
Spectators are encouraged to be on time for the even which will begin promptly at 7 PM.
By Samantha Geary
