Bianchi Bows Out of Chamber of Commerce Debate

Staff reports
iBerkshires
05:30PM / Tuesday, October 27, 2009

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Daniel Bianchi

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After a series of heated debates, the city's mayoral candidates are now getting hot over not having a debate.

Daniel L. Bianchi has indicated he will not participate in a debate sponsored by the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday at the Crowne Plaza. The city councilor's attendance at the debate has been a matter of speculation for some weeks after his campaign said it would conflict with other events.

On Tuesday, Bianchi's campaign sent out a press release saying he "disappointed over the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce's unwillingness to reschedule a debate that he will not be attending because of a scheduling conflict."

Mayor James M. Ruberto confirmed he would appear at debate with or without his challenger.

"As the mayor of Pittsfield I know what it's like to have a busy schedule," said Ruberto in a statement. "But what could possibly be more important right now than for the people of Pittsfield to hear from both candidates how we will create jobs and lead this city forward during this difficult economy? I have made time on my busy calendar for this important discussion, and my opponent should do the same."

Bianchi, however, said his campaign had notified the chamber from the start that the Oct. 28 date was problematic.

"It is important that the residents of Pittsfield get fair and unbiased coverage so that they can gain the information about my message and vision on jobs and economic development and vote on Election Day accordingly," wrote Bianchi. "They deserve to BE AWARE OF my multiple attempts to reschedule this debate at a time that would be mutually convenient."

Chamber President Michael Supranowicz said on Tuesday afternoon that while aware of scheduling difficulties, the chamber had been under the impression that the Bianchi campaign was trying to work around the issue.

"We never really got a firm denial," he said. "We always understood that were trying to make it work."

The date was set in large part to accommodate Pittsfield Community Television's ability to televise the debate live. Taping for later broadcast could mean that viewers wouldn't be able to watch it until nearly election day, said Supranowicz.

The Berkshire Chamber has hosted debates for its members going back more than decade and generally held during one of the chamber's monthly breakfast. There had been complaints that the early time made it difficult for the general public to attend, so an effort was made for a more public event at the Barrington Stage Company two years ago.

"The chamber has always set a date then moved forward," said Supranowicz, adding that the chamber had offered an early time the same day but was told Bianchi was not available before 5 p.m.

The debate will focus on business and economic development issues; Tammy Daniels, editor of iBerkshires.com, is set to moderate. It is being sponsored by the chamber in conjunction with Sherman Baldwin, host of "Talk Berkshires." The chamber also hosted a debate for the North Adams mayoral candidates two weeks ago, moderated by Berkshire Eagle Editor Tim Farkus, which focused on the same issues.

Bianchi and Ruberto have met a number of times, including a face-to-face forum last week at PCTV, one at BCC on Monday night and another at Barrington Stage, hosted by The Eagle, nearly two weeks ago.

"When I challenged the mayor to an aggressive debate schedule, which included five different forums for discussion in the course of four weeks, I noted that if any of the dates I suggested did not work with his campaign that I would work with his campaign and the hosts of the debate to reschedule at a time that would have been mutually convenient to all parties involved," wrote Bianchi. "Unlike the mayor, I have a full-time job and I am trying to support my family on top of my busy campaign schedule. I would urge the mayor to show the same courtesy to me as I showed to him."

Ruberto called him a "no-show."

"My opponent was a no-show on education, now he's a no show on jobs," Ruberto said. “He refused to debate with me on the subject of education, and now he can't make time for a debate sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce."

Bianchi, however, reiterated his challenge to Ruberto to debate education and jobs at a more convenient time. He also said he's received calls of support from chamber members who are "upset with the chamber's unwillingness to host an event that will be fair and mutually convenient for both candidates."

Supranowicz said the chamber office had received no complaints from members.

The live debate begins at 6 p.m. at the plaza, with or without Bianchi.

"We'd hate to seem him lose out on this," said Supranowicz. "We're still hoping Dan can work around it."

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