Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Students from two other school districts participated through distance learning.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- William Jones, 17, a senior at Warren G. Harding High School, is too young to cast his vote in the 17th Congressional District race, but he thinks both candidates have some good points.
Democratic state Sen. Tim Ryan of Niles and Republican state Rep. Ann Womer Benjamin of Aurora faced off in a debate Monday morning at Harding, where students from Harding, Girard and Howland high schools posed the questions.
Imprisoned former Congressman James A. Traficant Jr. is running as an independent.
Warren Student Communication Network hosted the debate.
Jones isn't sure whom he'd vote for if he could.
"They both had some good points," he said.
Jones thought results of the debate, where students asked questions about education, the future of the Valley and public trust, were about even.
The debate was broadcast live on cable channel 15 from the high school media center. The station also will likely rebroadcast the event.
Students from Howland and Girard high schools participated via distance learning provided by the Trumbull County Educational Service Center.
Distance learning technology links schools through television.
Cites experience
Womer Benjamin, 48, who has served eight years in the Ohio House, continually pointed to her experience during the event.
"I have the experience, record of accomplishment and the access to the people who can get things done here," she said.
Ryan acknowledged the Valley doesn't include much for young people and that he wants to find a way to bring high-wage, high-technology jobs to the area.
"The only way to turn things around is if young people get energized," he said. "The community will be exactly what you want it to be."
Both candidates talked about the importance of funding for education and partnerships between industry and the educational institutions in the area in revitalizing the Valley's economy.
Harding has been inviting candidates to debate before students for several years, but this marked the first time the event was broadcast live, said Regina Rees, a teacher.
She said sophomores Dillon Fishel and Franklin Bosak, both 15, spent Friday, when most of their classmates were sleeping late because there was no school, setting things up for the event.
It was also the first time distance learning was used to enable students from other schools to participate in questioning.
Seniors Krista Brown and Jared Raines, both 17, watched the candidates square off as part of their government class.
Both said they would vote for Ryan if they were old enough to go to the polls next month.
"He just seemed to answer the questions more clearly," Jared said.