First live debate in Wellsville since 2016 was held in the Nancy Howe Auditorium
By Andrew Harris, pictured is Mayor Randy Shayler, Moderator John Anderson, Challenger Marshall Green
A diverse crowd ventured out to participate in the first live debate held in Wellsville since 2016.
Former Wellsville Daily Reporter Editor and a Senior Contributing Editor at the Wellsville Sun, John Anderson led the audience and candidates through a little over one hour of debate. Incumbent Mayor Randy Shayler and Challenger Marshall Green gave the room plenty to think about, and talk about in the weeks before the November 5 vote.
The debate started with opening statements from both candidates and then moved on to a question answer session. Candidates were provided with six topics that would be covered to allow for meaningful preparation. Candidates were not provided with the questions prior to the debate.
We chose subjects that have been recent hot-button issues, and topics that spoke to broader concerns.
The opening questions posed to each candidate went directly to some of the controversial issues that both men have been directly involved in. Questions about the legal challenges mounted by Green against the Village of Wellsville and Shayler’s pursuit of eminent domain to purchase the municipal parking lot were at the forefront of the debate.
Below is the first segment from the evening , the remaining video segments follow a summary of the questions we asked and topics the candidates discussed.
The first question of the night went directly to issue that has driven Green’s campaign to challenge Shayler: “The village board decided to limit public comments during regular monthly meetings. Why was that decision made?“
The next ‘top of mind’ subject that Anderson put on the candidates plate was the “Great Wellsville Municipal Parking Lot War,” and the use of eminent domain powers by the village: “Was this the appropriate use of eminent domain powers? Why or why not ?
A broader subject was next for the candidates who got a two part question about housing and code enforcement from the moderator:
- How does Wellsville provide the housing necessary for economic growth?
- The housing inventory is rotting in many neighborhoods. How does the village accelerate removing blight and replacing it with new housing ?
Next the candidates were each asked to “Give an appraisal of the Shayler’s two terms, please provide us with specifics.“
After discussing Shayler’s 8 years in office, the spotlight turned to Green’s advertised three point plan should he be elected.
Vision 2034 was the final topic asked of the candidates: If you are elected, explain how that will impact Wellsville in a decade. What will you do in the next four years that will bear fruit in a decade ?
After some back and forth about the future of Wellsville the candidates were provided a few minutes to make closing statement.
Below are the remaining segments of the interview, produced by John Anderson who also moderated the event. Anderson was assisted by Julius Korytkowski.
