Temple Beth El's annual Political Forum

Story Created: Nov 2, 2008 at 4:33 PM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 2, 2008 at 8:10 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - It's a Sunday before the election tradition in Utica, Temple Beth El's annual Political Forum.

A chance to meet the local candidates running for office. Eight dollars for a full breakfast isn't too bad, and entertainment too!

24th District Congressional District Candidate Richard Hanna spoke about what had happened to him early Sunday morning "1:00 this morning, my wife's dog Ollie ran out through the dog door with a wad of my socks in its mouth, came running back in in about five seconds it had been sprayed completely by a skunk." That got a good chuckle from the crowd.

Hanna's opponent, Congressman Michael Arcuri shared a heart warming story about his daughter.

This is a chance to get to know our local candidates running for office in a way you wouldn't other wise.

The voters that turned out for the breakfast forum said they love getting up close and personal. New Hartford resident Dr. Robert Smith said "I like this event because I get to see the candidates in person. I got to shake someones hand today and get to known them as a real person other than someone I get to see on television or hear on the radio."

You've heard the candidates debate before, you've heard their ads over and over, but here, you hear a lot of things you haven't heard before. The candidates of numerous local races, not just the Congressional race, did answer questions on where they stand on the economy, even on term limits for their own political seats.

Joann Longo of Utica says "I think a lot of people can hear both sides of the story, right up front instead of in the newspaper and on the media."

So when it comes down to it, you may want to get that eight dollars out a year from now, or maybe a little more than eight dollars by then, who knows with this economy, and get a more personal feel for who your candidates are.
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