Open and spirited debate is necessary so the electorate can make informed decisions when voting. But Mayor Mark Boughton is waffling about whether he can fit a proposed League of Women Voters debate this month into his already busy schedule.

Excuse us, mayor, but few events could be considered more important than letting voters hear candidates' views and answers to questions during a public debate.

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Both candidates will participate in the debate scheduled for Oct. 14 by the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce at the Holiday Inn.

That is good, but it does not suffice.

That mayoral forum is part of a $45-a-plate luncheon that begins at 11:30 a.m. Not everyone can afford to attend and for some it could be difficult to leave work at that hour.

The chamber forum is an excellent idea for reaching members and other business people. An evening debate, such as the one organized by the League of Women Voters, would broaden the reach.

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Voters should not be limited in choice; they should not be limited in finding out as much as they can about the positions of candidates who will represent them.

Both candidates for the mayor of Danbury should take part in every debate between now and the election.

During her closing statements, [Helena] Abrantes challenged Boughton to three debates that would be open to the public and held at night or on weekend when more people could attend.

Boughton said Wednesday that he hasn't decided on Abrantes challenge but said he would try and see what will fit in his schedule.

"We'll look at any request." he said, pointing out that he will attend upcoming candidate forums held by the PTO and volunteer firefighters. "Beyond that, we'll have to look at the dates and see what we can squeeze in."

As for other debates in the mayoral race, Goncalves said he has agreed to participate in an event sponsored later next month by the League of Women Voters of Danbury.

Boughton, however, said he had not yet received an invitation to the event.

"There are already several events planned for next month," he said. "Anything beyond that may be difficult to fit into our schedule."

Goncalves said it was "slap in the face to the voters" and a "display of arrogance" when Boughton said last week that he likely couldn't attend a debate being offered by the League of Women Voters of the Danbury Area.

"As a Danbury resident and taxpayer who was born, raised and educated in Danbury, I consider the mayor's response that he had not seen the invitation, that his schedule was filling up and that enough other forums were scheduled, totally unacceptable," Goncalves said during an outdoor press conference.

Goncalves, who made reference to a debate being held next week before the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce at a cost of $45 per person, added that residents have a "right to hear the opposing viewpoints of the candidates in an open and no-cost forum."

In response Boughton said he only received the invitation to the league debate late last week and he will evaluate whether he can attend the event.

"It's already late in the (election) cycle and we do have a full schedule of events," he said. "I also have a responsibility to run the city of Danbury."

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy. The League's enduring vitality and resonance comes from its unique decentralized structure. The League is a grassroots organization, working at the national, state and local levels.

There are Leagues in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Hong Kong, in addition to the hundreds of local Leagues nationwide. The League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters Education Fund operate at the national level with grassroots support from state and local Leagues.

The League of Women Voters is strictly nonpartisan; it neither supports nor opposes candidates for office at any level of government. At the same time, the League is wholeheartedly political and works to influence policy through advocacy. It is the original grassroots citizen network, directed by the consensus of its members nationwide. The 900 state and local Leagues – comprising a vast grassroots lobby corps that can be mobilized when necessary.

Over time, the League’s legislative priorities change to reflect the needs of society and critical issues of concern. The organization remains true to its basic purpose: to make democracy work for all citizens. The League of Women Voters makes a difference in the lives of citizens because of the energy and passion of thousands of members committed to our principles.

Our Mission Statement

The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Boughton said they even saved $13,000 a year by eliminating water coolers in City Hall...

Burke's attorney Thomas Beecher said the change was at his request, but had no comment about why it was postponed until after the Nov. 3 municipal election.