Published: October 12, 2007 02:09 pm         

TOWN OF ALBION: Dems won't be at forum

The entire Democratic Party has pulled out of the Town of Albion Candidate Forum set for Oct. 17 because the event excludes the highway superintendent candidates, said Democratic Chairman Sally Rytlewski. The forum is hosted by the League of Women Voters.

Rytlewski said the Democrats believe all four candidates running for office should be included — supervisor, two council members and highway superintendent.

“(The League of Women Voters) didn’t feel the highway superintendent should be included because he doesn’t make policies,” Rytlewski said. “(Highway superintendents) answer only to the voters because they are elected by the voters and they do set policy in their own department.”

League of Woman Voters spokeswoman Lynne Philipps said the highway superintendent race has not, to her knowledge, been included in any of the league’s forums over the past four years.

Philipps said the forum scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Large Group Instruction Room at Albion High School will take place with or without the Democratic candidates, leaving only the Republican candidates represented, if the Democrats fail to show up.

“It’s our party. We’re having the forum. If they don’t want to come, that’s up to them,” Philipps said. “The forum is presented so that people can come and listen to the candidates of both sides. If the Democratic side does not want to come, then the Republicans would be the only ones there to answer questions.”

The candidates running for town supervisor include Democratic incumbent Eugene Christopher and Republican challenger Judy Koehler. Candidates running for two town council positions are Democrat Clifford Thom Sr. , Democrat Jeanette Riley, and Republicans Doug Bloom and Mete Konuksever.

The Town of Albion highway superintendent race includes Republican incumbent Jed Standish and Democratic challenger Christopher Kinter.

“We’re loyal to our candidates. We want them to be afforded the same opportunity as any other candidate,” Rytlewski said. “They go as a team.”

Contact reporter Nicole Coleman at 798-1400, ext. 2227.