Debate Night in Mahopac

In the final debate of the evening, Senator Leibell and Legislator Odell face off—answering questions regarding their desire to be the next County Executive. Diana Culhane The Villa Barone in Mahopac was full of enthusiasm and, at times, heated criticism on Tuesday night, when local Republican candidates took part in a debate in preparation for the September 14 primaries.

The debate, presented by the Courier and its sister newspaper, the Putnam County News & Recorder, included candidates for the 19th Congressional district, 40th state senate district, 99th assembly district, and Putnam County executive. The Villa Barone graciously made space available for the evening’s event.

Each candidate had 90 seconds to answer questions asked by the Courier, with 60 seconds for rebuttal. Candidates were allowed two minute closing statements.

Jim Borkowski and Steve Katz, running for the state assembly seat being vacated by Greg Ball, got the debate started by addressing the accusations they had levied against each other.

Katz accused Borkowski of making an unethical phone call to Katz’s lawyer. “Does that pass the smell check to you?” Katz asked the audience.

In response, Borkowski said that only public records were exchanged on the phone call. He then alleged that Katz plagiarized during his campaign and “flip flopped” on his platform, while stressing the importance of being consistent.

“This is consistent with someone who has never created a job and knows nothing about business,” Katz answered.

Both candidates agreed that high taxes are a countywide concern; Borkowski recommended shared services and consolidated government, while Katz said it is crucial to look at off-budget authorities.

Borkowski and Katz were also asked to discuss their affiliations with the Working Families Party and the Tea Party, respectively.

Vinnie Leibell and Mary Ellen Odell went at it from the get-go.

“I screwed up,” Borkowski said, adding that he made a mistake taking support from the party.

Katz said he was an early and proud member of the Tea Party, but he also focused on Borkowski’s previous affiliation. “That’s what Jim and Barack Obama had in common,” Katz said.

Borkowski fired back: “Steve, if I didn’t make that one mistake last year I don’t think you’d have anything to talk about.”

The next pair was Greg Ball and Mary Beth Murphy, seeking the state senate seat being vacated by Vincent Leibell. The two adversaries were asked to explain their criticisms of each other.

Ball ducked the question, instead making jokes and discussing his prior engagements in the evening. Murphy said she took “umbrage” at Ball, whom she said has characterized her as a puppet. “I’m an independent woman,” she said.

The panel asked how the two candidates would differ from Leibell, to which Ball praised Leibell for his commitment but said that he would work even harder.

Ball brought up taxing and spending numbers from Murphy’s time as Somers town supervisor. Murphy responded by saying that Ball’s numbers keep changing, prompting Ball to protest.

Ball also questioned Murphy’s salary increase in recent years, while stating that he has refused a higher salary. “I’m a blue collar guy through and through,” he said.

Murphy countered by saying that her salary increase reflects inflation and was voted upon by the town board. “I wish we all had that kind of inflation,” Ball joked.

The Congressional debate followed, featuring Nan Hayworth and Neil DiCarlo. Emotions were stirred immediately, with the candidates tackling illegal immigration for their first question. “Send ... them ... back,” DiCarlo stated.

Hayworth suggested that we need to secure our borders before any further action is taken, such as deportation.

Both candidates were asked why they are seeking office; Hayworth said her desire comes from her “conviction and passion” as an American. DiCarlo has other motivations.

“I believe in Jesus Christ,” he said. “God told me to run.”

They addressed Obama’s health care law, which DiCarlo called “unconstitutional.”

“Insurance is a good, not a right,” he said.

Hayworth said that employers are afraid to hire because of anticipated insurance mandates.

“We can’t afford the equivalent of Medicare for everyone,” she said.

Vincent Leibell and Mary Ellen Odell, jockeying for Putnam County executive, finished the debate.

They went at it from the get-go, with Leibell explaining why he had accused Odell of submitting fraudulent signatures for her nomination. Leibell, who said he has never had a signature thrown out, said that it bothers him when he is held to different standards than others.

The two adversaries were asked to explain their criticisms of each other.

Odell said that accusing her of fraud is no different than accusing the residents of Putnam, since she didn’t force anyone to put their name on the petition. She added that she felt she had been abused throughout the campaign.

Taxes were another hot topic, with both candidates agreeing that taxes need to be lower. Odell said that school taxes are the problem and are the “most paramount thing to reducing county taxes.” She suggested the possibility of consolidating several superintendent positions to create a single “district commissioner” job for the county.

Leibell said that he would meet with school officials to address the high taxes and that the county executive “should be the agent for change.”

Leibell stated his case for county executive by saying that he’s “quite familiar with government. I understand government and numbers.”

Odell said that she doesn’t “want to see the spend thrift attitude from Albany come to Putnam.” She criticized Leibell for some of his work with nonprofit foundations which receive sizeable state grants. She also said that, through his payroll, Leibell has compromised many politicians throughout the county by employing their relatives.

The event began with a brief introduction by Roger Ailes, the husband of Publisher Elizabeth Ailes, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by two Carmel High School seniors—Deb Bjornsti and Stacey Rivera. The panel of questioners consisted of Associate Editor Annie Chesnut, Senior Reporter Eric Gross, and Reporters T.J. Haley and Carli- Rae Panny. Joe Lindsley, editor-in-chief, served as the moderator.