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Editorial
Public has opportunity to enjoy rare meeting
The auditorium in Depew High School sets the stage Tuesday night for a town hall-style meeting between two of three candidates seeking to succeed George E. Pataki as governor of New York State. Democrat Tom Suozzi and Republican John Faso will address concerns about the economy of "upstate" and how it relates to business.
Conspicuously absent- again- is Democratic and overall front-runner Eliot Spitzer, our state's current attorney general. Spitzer declined, telling the hosts of Tuesday's meeting that he has a conflict on that date. Perhaps he's attending a fund-raiser for his campaign. Or perhaps he's afraid that he'll respond poorly if asked to expand on his ideas to help New York State. To us, Spitzer- unlike Faso and Suozzi- has not reached out to the common person with his ideas, but he still has plenty of support from his elected friends in Albany.
True, Spitzer has his own Web site and has made appearances at party-sponsored events, but for some reason he prefers to eschew faceto face debates and meetings. His supporters may say that as the frontrunner Spitzer has no need to attend these public invitations. We disagree. For the most part, Spitzer has made his appearances in places where the environment is controlled.
One question we would like Spitzer to answer is why he is keeping $50,000 in campaign contributions received in 2003 from New York Regional Interconnect, Inc.? The electric power company hopes to run electrical transmission lines through Central New York to New York City. The company needs state approval, but the project is widely unpopular with those who live in Central New York.
Spitzer appears to have no qualms about keeping money from a company that wishes to cast a visual blight across an historic portion of New York State's landscape. This project, by the way, requires approval from Albany. We would like to point out here that Spitzer's own Web site indicates he has been endorsed by 97 New York State assemblymen and 24 New York State senators. It may not be that far of a stretch to suggest that as goes Spitzer's campaign, so go the power lines.
Several Central New York mayors, supervisors and county executives are against the power lines, and have formed a coalition to battle their approval and installation. If Spitzer is willing to keep money from a company that wishes to mar the landscape in one area of "upstate," who's to say he wouldn't accept campaign contributions from a company seeking to perform a similar project on the Niagara Frontier?
Some political observers, casual and full-time, may say that the debates and town hall meetings are unnecessary because no one watches them. This is a dangerous mindset. An informed public can make informed decisions.
Spitzer's absence at meetings and debates while appearing almost exclusively at supporter-backed fundraisers gives the appearance that Eliot Spitzer has something to hide. Faso's and Suozzi's recent appearances in Western New York show that they are willing to talk openly with the public.
Who would you rather have as your next governor? Those who bring their messages to the people, or one who avoids the cameras when he cannot control the situation?
Eliot Spitzer is dangerously close to becoming the next New York State governor, where he is already backed by 121 elected representatives. Recent polls indicate that New Yorkers are becoming increasingly disgusted with Albany. How many of these 121 Spitzer supporters share the brunt of the public's scorn?
We encourage our readers to attend Tuesday's meeting at Depew High School to hear what two major candidates have to say. By their presence and willingness to respond to questions and to share ideas, Suozzi and Faso deserve our attention and appreciation for showing an interest in our part of the state.
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