Library to Host Presidential Debate

The Tompkins County Public Library invites the public to attend its inaugural Presidential Debate.

Tompkins County Democratic Chair Irene Stein and her Republican counterpart, County GOP Chair Mike Sigler, will debate the merits of their parties’ respective presidential candidates in the library’s Borg Warner Community Meeting Room Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 6:00 PM. The debate will be moderated by Cornell University’s Deputy Director of Community Relations Gary Stewart.

Stein has served as chair of the county’s Democratic Committee for nearly 20 years. Her political service has included stints as County Democratic Committee secretary and chair of the City of Ithaca Democratic Committee. She is vice chair of the Democratic Rural Conference, an association of representatives of democratic committees in New York’s rural counties, and she was a delegate at the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver.

Sigler, is a first-term county legislator, serving the Sixth District. A New Jersey native, Sigler moved to the Finger Lakes in 1996 to pursue a career as a journalist. He currently works for Park Outdoor Advertising and serves on the County’s Budget Committee. He is also vice chair of the legislature’s Government Operations Committee. Sigler ran for the New York State Assembly in 2002.

Before joining Cornell in 2002, Stewart was Opinion Page Editor for The Ithaca Journal.

Well known for their political activism, Sigler and Stein are sure to provide thoughtful insights and opinions about both presidential candidates.

The debate, free and open to the public, will also offer an opportunity for those 18 and older to register to vote. The deadline to register is October 10.

For more information or to suggest a question to be asked at the debate, contact Carrie Wheeler at 272-4557 extension 248, or email CWheeler@tcpl.org.

This program has been made possible by the Tompkins County Public Library Foundation through a generous gift from the Brooks Family Foundation.