Mayoral Candidate Proposes Debates
June 27, 2011
Source: The Herald Online Monday, June 27, 2011
By KASEY HUSK
Herald Staff Writer
JASPER — As what Jeffrey Mack ’Mack” Steffen terms ’one of the most important elections in Jasper’s history” approaches, the independent candidate for Jasper mayor is hoping that holding a series of debates will help the public learn more about the three candidates for mayor.
In recent weeks, Steffen has challenged Republican candidate Terry Seitz and Democratic opponent John Burger to a series of monthly debates leading up to the election, a challenge he repeated in newspaper ads that began Saturday. Seitz and Burger have each said they would participate, as long as certain conditions are met.
A separate mayoral forum sponsored by the Rotary Club of Jasper, Jasper Chamber of Commerce and Vincennes University Jasper Campus has already been set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the Jasper Arts Center. However, Steffen said the public needs more information before October in a year where the city faces issues like job creation and unemployment and deciding the fate of two controversial issues: the Jasper Public Library and a proposal to convert the city’s power plant to burn natural gas and miscanthus grass.
The candidates ’need to get out there and let people know about us and the issues rather than wait until a month before the election when you have just a couple of forums and very little discussion on the issues, ” Steffen said.
Burger, who said he would participate in debates ’anytime, anyplace, as long as all three candidates are involved, ” agreed.
’It definitely gives the citizens of Jasper more chances to get to be comfortable with the candidates as well as see the difference between the candidates, and helps them make a more informed decision when Election Day comes this fall, ” he said.
Seitz said he is committed to the October forum and will ’consider other forums of that nature that would be put on by independent, third-party organizations and that would allow for some input from the candidates as far as the content and format. ”
Seitz said he will not participate in debates until after the Strassenfest in August because he said that marks the beginning of the traditional election season in Jasper, and because families tend to be very busy during the summer.
Steffen, meanwhile, said he hopes to start the monthly debates during the week of July 17.
Steffen is looking for local civic organizations to take charge of hosting and moderating the debates.
’Right now I’m just waiting for organizations to come forward and do their civic duty ... to take up the mantle and make sure the people are informed, ” Steffen said.
Contact Kasey Husk at khusk@dcherald.com
