Government

Greenport Village hopefuls to debate on March 10

The four candidates vying for two seats on the Greenport Village Board will square off Tuesday evening, March 10, at a community-hosted debate at the Methodist church on Main Street. 

Moderated by village resident and business owner Rena Wilhelm, the three-hour event will feature questions generated by the public. Ms. Wilhelm has spent the past several weeks posting possible debate topics on a Facebook event page, where several candidates and community members have already engaged in a debate on those issues.

She said the question topics were sent to her by residents, compiled from media reports or emerged from her own observations as a frequent attendee at Village Board meetings.

Ms. Wilhelm said she’s hosting the event to provide residents with an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the candidates before the March 18 election.

“It’s to educate more people on the views of the trustees,” she said.

All four candidates — incumbent David Murray and challengers Jack Martilotta, Douglas Roberts and William Swiskey – are expected to attend. They are competing for two trustee seats in the at-large election.

The event is expected to start at 6 p.m. with a 30-minute meet-and-greet, followed by questions posed by the moderator. Each candidate will be afforded time to respond to every question, Ms. Wilhelm said.

Another debate featuring the trustee candidates and the two mayoral hopefuls is being sponsored by southoldlocal.com. It is scheduled for Friday, March 13, at 6 p.m. at Floyd Memorial Library.

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