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The Lackawanna County Commissioner Debate \u2014 held Thursday, Oct. 23 \u2014 drew a nearly standing room-only crowd to The University of Scranton\u2019s Pearn Auditorium at Brennan Hall.<\/p>\n
Democrat Thom Welby, Republican Chet Merli and independent candidate Michael Cappellini participated in the debate organized by the University\u2019s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service (CEEPS). A Nov. 4 special election will be held as the three candidates are vying for a seat on the three-member board of commissioners.<\/p>\n
Much like the Scranton Mayoral Debate<\/a>, held one week earlier, the Lackawanna County Commissioner Debate featured University personnel playing key roles. Brian Snee, Ph.D., director of CEEPS, was the debate moderator. Grace Lennox<\/strong>, a political science and philosophy double major and College Democrats president from Peckville, and Philip Huffman<\/strong>, a political science and history double major and College Republicans president from Scranton, read the debate rules, introduced the candidates and handled timekeeping duties. Additionally, three local journalists \u2014 WBRE-TV\u2019s Connor Coar, The Times-Tribune\u2019s Donnie Collins and WNEP-TV\u2019s Stacy Lange \u2014 served as panelists.<\/p>\n The debate was livestreamed and recorded by ECTV<\/a> and carried by other media outlets.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n