Cooperstown League to Host Candidates’ Forums in Hartwick and Milford
The League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area will hold two Candidates’ Forums this fall in advance of Election Day, November 4, 2025. The forums will feature candidates for town officials in Hartwick and Milford.
The Hartwick Forum is scheduled for Wednesday, October 22 at 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Hartwick Fire Department #1, 3088 County Highway 11, Hartwick, N.Y. All the candidates in the contested elections for Town Supervisor and Town Council were invited to participate.
Both candidates running for Hartwick town supervisor, Cody Moore (REP) and Andrea Vazquez (CON) were invited to the debate. Moore has accepted; Vazquez has not replied as of October 10.
All the candidates running for Hartwick Town Council were also invited to the debate. Joanne Gardner (REP, Hartwick United) and Caren G. Kelsey, (DEM) have agreed to attend. Kimberly Ann Henderson (CON), has not responded to the League’s invitation as of October 9. Sarah McGuire (Common Sense) has declined to participate.
“The League only conducts a debate when there are at least two candidates from opposing parties for each race. Since only one candidate for town supervisor agreed to attend the debate, there will be no debate for town supervisor unless Ms. Vasquez agrees to participate,” notes Anna Gaeta, Voter Services Chair of the LWV of the Cooperstown Area. “We do, however, have commitments from two candidates for town council who are running—Joanne Gardner and Caren Kelsey, so Hartwick citizens will hear from them.”
The Milford Forum will take place on Thursday, October 23, from 7p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Milford Town Hall, 2859 State Highway 28, Portlandville, N.Y. All the candidates in the contested election for town council were invited to participate. Russel Langford (REP, Milford’s Choice), Jesse Charlotte Thorsland (DEM), Kristen Velasco, (DEM), and Kevin Yerdon (Community Vision) have agreed to attend. Peter Paffenroth (REP) has not responded to the League’s invitation as of October 10.
The League also proposed a forum for October 20 for candidates for supervisor in Otsego County’s District 7 (Towns of Cherry Valley, Middlefield, and Roseboom). Leslie Berliant (DEM) agreed to attend; David Bliss (CON), and James McCartney (REP) had not responded to the League’s invitation as of October 10.
The League’s Candidates’ Forums enable voters to hear the candidates and question them about important issues in their towns. League policy, however, requires that at least two candidates for each race from opposing parties must be present or that portion of the program will be cancelled. Candidate Forums are open to all members of the public and the media.
“The League is a nonpartisan political organization,” notes Hudi Podolsky co-president of the LWV of the Cooperstown Area, “and we believe that providing a forum where citizens can meet and engage in dialog on local issues with the candidates is important to democracy and an informed citizenry. Public forums show that candidates are willing to engage directly with the community, listen to concerns, and answer important questions. This builds trust in the political process and encourages higher voter turnout. The League thanks those candidates who have agreed to participate so that people can hear their views in person.”
For further information, contact Anna Gaeta at 917-613-3927 or annaegaeta [at] ymail.com.
