"First Selectman Debate" Canceled, Want to Know Why?

Reported by Paula Antolini

Many residents were looking forward to a debate between the First Selectman candidates this year so I decided to take on this project myself.  

On Tuesday, October 22, 2013, I posted an invitation on Bethel Patch to First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker (Democrat) and Will Duff (Republican) inviting them to a debate.  I also invited Al Vargas (Green Party) to participate as well.

Candidate Will Duff immediately said yes, and added,
"A discussion of the issues is always a good thing. I am for it." 

Candidate Al Vargas (Green Party) never responded despite several attempts to contact him and other officials in the party.  (Green Party Co-Chair Allan Brison was the only person to respond but said he did not know how to get in touch with Vargas.) 

First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker did not respond to the Bethel Patch posting dated October 22, 2013, so I emailed him directly the next day.   I received an email reply from First Selectman Knickerbocker on Thursday, October 24, 2013, and he referred me to his campaign manager Mr. Peter Olson.  Knickerbocker wrote,
"Thank you for the email.  Please contact our campaign manager, Peter Olson. The best way to reach him is via email at: [gives email] Thank you."   

I emailed Mr. Olson and his reply on Oct 26, 2013 was,
"My initial reaction is that I would not recommend that we not give Mr Duff a platform to continue to spread his lies and misinformation.  But in order for us to discuss this further, I would need to know the following: What organization will sponsor it? Who will moderate it? Where will it be held? Who will pay for it? What would the format be? Will all three First Selectman candidates be invited? Will the Selectman candidates be invited? Thanks."  

The following Tuesday I responded to all of Mr. Olson's questions, giving him all event details.  I stated,
"To answer your questions: The debate will be probably be sponsored by The League of Women Voters CT, moderated by a neutral party, and probably held in the Bethel Middle School auditorium on Monday evening, November 4, 2013.  Questions will be submitted by residents, selected by neutral screeners, and read to the candidates by the moderator (all arranged by the LWVCT who will also cover costs, if any).  All details are coming into place, but yet to be confirmed, depending on the confirmation of attendance from all three candidates first.  Mr. Duff has already agreed to participate, we are awaiting Knickerbocker's final response, and we are in the process of contacting Mr. Vargas too, to participate.  This debate will just be those three First Selectman candidates but the Selectman candidates are certainly welcome to watch the debate. Please indicate if First Selectman Knickerbocker will participate, thanks.  Since we are short on time, I'd appreciate a quick response so I can put the wheels in motion to arrange this debate, thanks."  

Mr. Olson replied the following Wednesday, Oct 30, 2013,
"You can have a representative of LWV contact me to discuss further, but I do not think a debate on the day before Election Day is worthwhile. Frankly, it's probably too late anyway." 

My immediate response to Mr. Olson was, 
“What exactly are your concerns about the debate?  I have answered all your previous questions and the LWVCT is a legitimate host for events such as this. Mr. Duff has agreed to all the conditions of this debate.  Let the voters decide whether the timing is correct. If First Selectman Knickerbocker does not want to participate, please let me know by tomorrow."

The emails continued with more questions and comments. In what ended up being my final email to him on Friday, November 1, 2013, at 8:41 AM, I again assured him, 
"We have a neutral location and a neutral individual moderating the debate (who does not even live in Bethel), and questions will be dealt with fairly by her."  I again mentioned "I am not participating at all, I am just trying to make this event happen based on numerous comments online from voters wanting to see the candidates interact so my online posts are not an issue here.  Everything is in place awaiting your confirmation that First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker will participate, which, I'd like to have your answer by the end of the day today."

Also, in that same email, I gave him the name and contact information of the LWVCT moderator Erica Schwarz.  I urged him to contact the LWVCT directly to address any concerns he had, and to please get back to me.

As of this writing, he never contacted Ms. Schwarz to my knowledge nor did he contact me.

Correspondence with Mr. Olson abruptly ended on November 1, 2013 when he said he had a problem discussing the debate with me because of my political affiliation and viewpoint.  This was said despite my assurances that I was not participating in the event and the League of Women Voters would be handling all details (such as choosing the moderator and how the question selections and readings work during the debate etc.). 

There has been no further contact from Mr. Olson or First Selectman Knickerbocker.  This lack of response from Knickerbocker or Olson, combined with no response from Vargas, resulted in cancellation of the debate planned for this Monday.

I tried to have a fair forum to discuss the issues.  You be the judge.