BALLSTON SPA — The League of Women Voters of Saratoga County (LWV) canceled a ‘meet the candidates’ forum in the village scheduled for Thursday, March 16 due to a lack of participation from Republicans in this year’s race.
“In the absence of a reply from all three Republican candidates for office in the Village of Ballston Spa, the event must be canceled,” Ann Kril, the group’s voter service chair, said in a statement. “Due to League rules, the LWV cannot present a candidate forum with only one party or only one candidate for each open seat.”
Three village residents have formed a slate of Democrats to challenge the long control of Ballston Spa government by Republicans. Shawn Raymond and Noah Shaw are competing to fill two trustee seats on the Village Board, while Erika Tebbens is running against incumbent Village Justice Michael Morrissey.
According to Kril, Morrissey, current village trustee Ron Henry and Bruce Couture, a former Milton town councilman, did not confirm their participation in the March 16 forum. It was scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Malta Avenue Elementary School, whose officials needed confirmation of the event by March 10, she said.
“We are disappointed that this forum cannot proceed as originally planned,” Kril added. “In these times of divisiveness, it would be good to have a community discussion so that all residents and all candidates can interact.”
