Election 2009: Bianchi Challenges Ruberto to Debate on Economic Development
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayoral candidate Dan Bianchi has announced that he will challenge the mayor to a roundtable debate on Friday, Oct. 30, at 5 p.m. The roundtable will take place on WBRK 1340-AM on "Talk Berkshires" and PCTV and will include topics on economic development, jobs, crime and education or any topic the mayor would like to discuss."We assumed for the past month the chamber debate was off. We offered numerous alternatives but none were accepted. We invited the Chamber to participate in an Oct. 13 debate on WBRK and they declined. I am frustrated by the fact that Berkshire County Chamber showed no flexibility changing the date of their debate to accommodate our scheduling conflict, nor there willingness to participate in a previously scheduled debate," said Bianchi.
"It is important for the voters of Pittsfield to hear from ALL candidates and here each of our messages for moving Pittsfield forward. When my campaign informed the chamber of my schedule, the chamber and Sherman Baldwin of WBRK said that they could not switch the date because of scheduling with PCTV. I received confirmation from PCTV last evening that they were never contacted with any alternative dates to switch the chamber debate even though these dates were presented to the chamber a month in advance. I think this purposeful attempt to mislead the citizens of Pittsfield is inexcusable and I suggest the mayor debates me this Friday," he continued.
"I suggest the mayor debates me on Friday as well as the previously scheduled debate this Thursday. That will make three debates in five days. I believe this whole scheduling issue is just a device to give the mayor yet another opportunity to send this campaign in a negative direction. I am more than happy to discuss my message and my vision for the future of this city with the voters of Pittsfield and the mayor."
Submitted by the Campaign to Elect Dan Bianchi
