Mayoral hopefuls look forward to campaign's first and last debate

By Elaine Allegrini
Enterprise staff writer

BROCKTON— Three weeks before the city's preliminary election, the three candidates for mayor have not engaged in a formal debate.

“I want to debate,” mayoral hopeful Gayle Kelley said Monday, her voice emphasizing the words as she expressed disappointment over the latest canceled debate, which was scheduled for Monday night.

“We're eager to debate, we hope that the other candidates think the same way,” said Jass Stewart, who is in his second bid for mayor.

Incumbent James Harrington did not return a call made to his City Hall office or a message left at his campaign office.

The last and final scheduled debate, scheduled for Sept. 6, is being sponsored by The Enterprise, Brockton Community Access Television, WXRB radio and Emerging40. It would be held less than two weeks before the Sept. 18 preliminary election.

Stewart and Kelley said they are disappointed that three scheduled debates have been canceled, ones sponsored by the Council on Aging, Citizens for a Better Brockton and Community Connections of Brockton.

In a letter to the editor of The Enterprise, Virginia Jeppson of Citizens for a Better Brockton accused Harrington and Kelley of using an “old political trick,” pretending they did not receive mailed notices of the candidates forum.

Kelley said she was not available to sign when the certified letter arrived and by the time she made arrangements to have it picked up, it was too late.

It could not be determined Monday when the other two debates were cancelled.

“I clearly was disappointed,” said Stewart. “I want to be able to test my ideas. At a debate, I not only put out my ideas, but also learn from the other candidates.”

Kelley also expressed disappointment.

She said she was not notified of two debates, the Council on Aging or Community Connections of Brockton events, learning about one in a notice published in The Enterprise.

“There are very few good venues for candidates,” she said. “Debates are the democratic way for candidates to speak directly to the citizenry.”

And, Kelley said, “I'm a good debater.”

Elaine Allegrini can be reached at eallegrini@enterprisenews.com.