The candidates for the 15th senate district faced off in one of the last candidate nights before Election Day, differentiating themselves not by issues, but by their levels of experience.
Senator Serphin Maltese, 75, presented himself to the moderately-sized crowd as a candidate who has the experience necessary to move things in congress, which he said grants members privileges based on seniority. Councilmember Joseph Addabbo, 44, of the 32nd District, charged the senate needed change, especially, he said, after they passed a budget that increased spending in tough fiscal times.
"The old business-as-usual doesn't work anymore," Addabbo said at the October 30 event hosted by the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association. "You need a leader that's beyond that. Party politics has to stop."
The 20-year incumbent of the senate said without his experience, he wouldn't have been able to reach to the Democratic-controlled Assembly to pass 130 bills. "My opponent would be lowly on the totem pole," Maltese said.
The race for the 15th District senate seat is considered one of the most important elections of the season. Democrats, who in addition to the assembly control the governor's office, are looking to Addabbo to help balance their numbers in the senate. Republicans hold a majority by two seats.
"If you believe in checks and balances, that's another reason to vote for me," Maltese said. "There should be some balance - I could provide that balance."
The Block Association questioned the candidates on a range of issues. They asked the candidates if the community would receive profits from the Aqueduct Racetrack casino, if civic groups will continue to receive public funding and what should be done about illegal conversions. Audience members submitted questions on senior centers' funding and what cuts should be made during the current economic crisis.
Maltese responded to many of the questions by referring to his experience, his funding of local organizations and schools and running through his endorsements, which he said included Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Addabbo said he would be active on the local level, be fiscally responsible and would fight for every penny.
"I will not consent to any layoffs of city or municipal workers," Maltese said during his response to the question of funding civic groups.
Addabbo began his response by saying, "I'm going to try to stick to the issue of the question."
The candidates for the 30th Council District also had the chance to address the questions of the group. Councilmember Anthony Como, who was elected in June, faced off against democratic candidate Elizabeth Crowley, who lost by a margin of 38 votes.
"There are a lot of things that are not going in the right direction," Crowley said. "That's why I got in to politics, so I could make a difference." She ticked off the many issues she's concerned about.
"I'm not going to tell you what the problems are." Como said, "We know what the problems are, it's how you face them. That's how you do things, you act."
A particularly pointed question came from Arlene Annunziata, a member of the Woodhaven Residents' Block Association, who said she spoke for herself. "Where have you been?" she asked Crowley. "You have been an invisible candidate."
Crowley responded, "I'm sorry you feel that way."
