Williams requests one-on-one debate

The Democratic nominee said he isn't interested in a one-on-one debate.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jay Williams, an independent candidate in the six-person Youngstown mayoral race, is insisting that state Sen. Robert F. Hagan, the Democratic nominee, debate him one-on-one.
Hagan said it isn't fair to the other mayoral candidates to have a one-on-one debate with Williams, and he won't participate in one.
"Everyone in this race has the right to be heard," Hagan said.
While on the campaign trail, Williams said he's heard from citizens who want to hear a one-on-one debate between the two. Also, there have been attempts by local talk radio hosts to get the two in the studio for a debate.
Williams said he's willing to appear at forums and debates with all six candidates, but those events typically don't provide the time needed to get across points on key issues because there are so many people involved.
"The voters have said that the real issues and real qualifications too often take a back seat to sound bytes, clich & eacute;s and grandstanding," said Williams, who resigned in April as the city's Community Development Agency director to run for mayor.
Primary opponent?
Williams said he called out Hagan at a press conference Thursday because the Democratic nominee and his supporters point to him as Hagan's primary opponent. Williams won't reciprocate, saying Hagan is just one of the five candidates he's facing in the November general election.
On Thursday, Hagan said of Williams that "He has a better chance in this race than the others."
Hagan said that Williams' Thursday statements are in direct contradiction to what Williams said July 21 on WGFT radio.
During that radio appearance, Williams said, "Every candidate brings something of value to this race, and I certainly would advocate for every candidate [to] be given equal opportunity and equal time to put forth their platform."
Hagan said Williams is "confused and he's still trying to confuse the people. He doesn't know who he is and he's changing his opinions from day to day."
Williams said he stands by his July 21 statement, saying it doesn't mean one-on-one debates are off-limits. Williams said he is willing to debate any of the other mayoral candidates in a one-on-one setting, and he won't take "no" for an answer from Hagan.
Williams said Hagan had no problem with the two attending a Wednesday meeting of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society to talk about the next mayor's role in helping to develop the city's Smoky Hollow region. Williams said he and Hagan were the only mayoral candidates invited to that meeting.
Republican Robert Korchnak said if there is a one-on-on debate between Youngstown mayoral candidates it should be between he and Hagan.
"We're the representatives of the two largest political parties in the United States," he said. "But it's a six-person race and to neglect four of the candidates isn't right."
skolnick@vindy.com