Walsh and Belmont to Headline Candidate Forum in West Harrison

Harrison voters will get their first public chance to compare the candidates for local office Wednesday night at a candidate forum in West Harrison.

The forum, organized by the West Harrison Neighborhood Association, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the . Supervisor candidates Joan Walsh (D) and Ronald Belmont (R,C,I), as well as each party's candidates for the two open council seats are expected to answer questions for the public.

The Republican lineup for town council includes former supervisor Stephen Malfitano and incumbent councilman Fred Sciliano. The Democrats have nominated incumbent Pat Vetere along with Howard Hollander.

All candidates are expected to attend, including Vetere, who has not appeared publicly since he left town to receive treatment for a reported inner-ear infection last month. Supervisor Walsh said Vetere, 81, will be in attendence Wednesday.

Each candidate will be asked three questions they have been given in advance. They will have the floor to make prepared responses to each question. The fourth question is a surprise question.

If time permits, a public question and answer session will follow.

The forum is not a formal debate, and candidates will not directly respond to one another.

"It's a very informal thing," said Angela Amodeo, of the West Harrison Neighborhood Association.

Town clerk candidates Jackie Greer (R) and Frank Corvino (D) will not be a part of the panel because of time considerations. The forum is expected to run for about two hours.

This is the second candidate's forum hosted by the West Harrison Neighborhood Association. Two years ago about 50 people attended a forum at the . The event was moved to the senior center this year because it provides more room for the audience.

"We hope to have a nice crowd, but we don't know (how many people will attend)," said Amodeo.