Shoemaker’s Participation In April Mayoral Debate In Doubt
Shoemaker’s Participation In April Mayoral Debate In Doubt
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Shoemaker’s Participation In April Mayoral Debate In DoubtIf Warsaw mayoral candidate Ron Shoemaker fails to attend the debate April 11, it’ll go on without him.
The Warsaw mayoral candidate debate is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 11 at Lakeview Middle School. Questions from the community will be asked by panelists representing four local news agencies and the Warsaw Community High School Student Council.
While incumbent Mayor Joe Thallemer confirmed he would participate, as of this morning Shoemaker had not confirmed to Carli Luca, news and content director from News Now Warsaw, that he will attend.
In fact, Shoemaker’s campaign Facebook page shows him scheduled to attend one of his own mayor listening tour events from 6 to 8 p.m. April 11 at the Shrine Building at the Warsaw Community Fairgrounds.
Luca said Shoemaker was invited as soon as he filed Jan. 18.
Shoemaker did not return a phone call this morning seeking comment.
Thallemer said, “I agreed to it when it was first brought up to my attention. I’ve been preparing for it and look forward to engaging my opponent.”
He said if he’s the only candidate who shows up, he will answer the public’s questions.
“The goal of the Warsaw Mayoral Candidate Debate on April 11 is to get information to the public about both candidates' visions for the City of Warsaw. We have extended invitations to both Joe Thallemer and Ron Shoemaker to participate, giving them the opportunity to answer questions submitted directly by the community.
“Incumbent Mayor Joe Thallemer has confirmed he will attend the debate. Despite various attempts to contact City Councilman Ron Shoemaker by phone and email, News Now Warsaw has yet to receive confirmation that he will participate,” Luca said in a statement.
She said Shoemaker often doesn’t respond by telephone and she’s had to communicate to him by email. Over the past couple of months, she said she’s had some contact with Shoemaker. At one point, Shoemaker asked Luca to expand the scope of the panelists who would ask the questions at the debate.
About two weeks ago, Shoemaker suggested in an email to Luca that the debate should also include city council candidates. News Now reached out to Shoemaker to discuss that request over concerns about the logistic of that man candidates in a two-hour debate. Shoemaker did not respond.
Luca said the debate will proceed as planned and “we’d welcome (Shoemaker) to come. It’s an opportunity for both candidates to answer some questions.”
