Hoffmann, Dadey and Valeski to debate Sept. 20 at SU

Hoffmann, Dadey and Valeski to debate Sept. 20 at SUSeptember 20, 2004Matthew R. Snydermrsnyder@syr.edu

Tonight, incumbent State Sen. Nancy Larraine Hoffmann and hertwo opponents in the coming election, Tom Dadey and DaveValesky, will take part in a debate at 6:30 p.m. in MaxwellAuditorium in Maxwell Hall. The debate is open to the public;candidates will state their views and members of the audiencewill have the chance to participate in a question-and-answersession with the candidates. Public parking will be in theIrving and University Avenue garages.

Tonight’s debate kicks off a series of six Monday-night eventsin which candidates for Congress, the New York State Senate andState Assembly will visit SU. The political debates aresponsored by the Student Association, which initiated theprogram in the early 1990s to give students, faculty, staff andneighbors of SU the chance to hear from local candidates. Eachdebate precedes the weekly SA meeting.

Other debates on the schedule will be held at the same place andtime:

Sept. 27 — State Sen. John DeFrancisco and challenger Tim Gorman

Oct. 4 — Assemblywoman Joan K. Christensen and challengerCharles Iavarone

Oct. 11 — Assemblyman William Magnarelli and challenger RobertTeachout

Oct. 18 — Assemblyman Jeff Brown and challenger Joe Rossi

Oct. 25 — Rep. James T. Walsh and challengers Howie Hawkins andChristina Rosetti

“The coming elections might well mark a turning point for ourcountry and our state,” says Student Association PresidentAndrew Lederman. “All of us are concerned about the future–thewar on terror, bringing democracy to Iraq, improving relationswith the Middle East, and the emerging nuclear threat fromnations such as North Korea and Iran. In addition, we’re alsoconcerned about the home front — jobs and the economy, fundingfor education from grade school to higher education, fixing thehealthcare system, and protecting clean air and water.”