Abdelazim Schedules Broome Town Hall Forums

Broome County Executive candidate Tarik Abdelazim plans to hold a series of what he calls "People's Town Halls" over the next few weeks.Abdelazim said the first of the scheduled forums will take place Wednesday night at 7:00 at the Endicott Visitors Center at 300 Lincoln Avenue.

Abdelazim is the Democratic candidate challenging Republican County Executive Debra Preston.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Abdelazim said he wants to be accessible to all county residents with open, free session.

He said the forums will have "no scripts, no handlers, no staged political theater."

Abdelazim said those in the audience will be able to ask him "tough questions" to learn his position on county issues.

Additional sessions are planned in Vestal, Binghamton, Endwell, Johnson City and Conklin. Abdelazim said he expects to set up additional forums in northern and eastern Broome County before Election Day.

Abdelazim said each "town hall" gathering is scheduled to run 90 minutes. He plans to start with an opening statement and then allow people to present their questions for him.

Abdelazim said video and still cameras will be permitted during the sessions.

At a candidate forum featuring Preston and Abdelazim last week, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce president Louis Santoni banned the use of all news cameras.

Preston has indicated she's too busy for any formal debates with Abdelazim. According to the Press & Sun-Bulletin, Preston said her schedule was booked until December 1.