Chuck,
I received your request to debate. Thank you for the invitation but you are proposing a debate during the week of the 4th of July, in the middle of the day. Neither of those proposals works with my schedule since I work full time as do most of the people I would like to attend.
I recognize that you quit your job at SUNY Fredonia and as a result have no work obligations to interfere with your campaign but as the County Executive I work full time for the people of Chautauqua County and pursue my campaign in the evenings and on weekends.
More importantly, I reviewed the tape I made of the last debate. As you recall I invited you to debate entrepreneur issues after you announced that you had "Bold new initiatives and would take decisive action", and I admit that I wanted to hear what they were. From my review of the video I recorded of the debate, your initiatives were you would "Appoint 20 people to a committee to tell you what you should do, and you would spend more money and do more." The balance of the debate you gave canned answers which did not address the questions and typically had nothing to do with entrepreneurs.
I have been asked by the LWV to participate in 3 debates, a Rotary club has also asked to host one as well as a combined Rotary/Chamber co-sponsored debate. This would provide the people of this county with 5 opportunities to hear us debate on a wide range of issues. I enjoyed the opportunity during our recent debate to highlight all the success I have had encouraging, supporting and promoting the growth of businesses large and small, and how I am now working to help both businesses and individuals who have been hurt by this national recession, and I am certain I will enjoy the five debates already scheduled.
As a result I will look forward to a chance to present answers to the questions that the League of Women Voters, the Chamber, the Rotarian's and the public will have during our upcoming debates but do not anticipate that further debates will be necessary.
Thank you for your time.
Greg Edwards