CURCIO PLAYING DIRTY POLITICS ON FREEHOLDER DEBATE

            “The fact is that I have agreed to debate Mr. Curcio and our campaigns have been in regular contact as recently as last night to negotiate the format,” said Sam Mento, a blueberry farmer and union carpenter, who is running against 18-year career politician Jim Curcio for Freeholder. “I was appalled to learn that Mr. Curcio went on the radio this morning unilaterally imposing his own debate format, time, and location in an attempt to threaten my integrity. His insistence that he will show up at his prescribed time and place with or without me is an insult to Atlantic County voters who deserve more than political ploys and gamesmanship.”

            In email exchanges between the two campaigns which the Mento for Freeholder Campaign is considering releasing, it is evident that candidate Sam Mento is putting the public interest first by suggesting a debate format – refereed by a nonpartisan and nonpolitical entity -- that provides both candidates ample opportunity to address current issues. Among the outstanding terms yet to be agreed upon is the debate moderator. Mr. Curcio has publicly decided and announced on his own that opinionated radio talk show host Harry Hurley will be the moderator. Sam Mento has suggested representatives of an impartial entity like the Hammonton News could ask the questions, while both political parties supply one representative each to be timekeepers.

            “This is a thinly veiled attempt by Jim Curcio to grandstand on the issue of public debates and undermine what is supposed to be a respectful public forum to inform voters of our positions,” said Mento. “The public is sick of dirty politics and insider advantages. Clearly it is time for a fresh face and someone who has not been compromised by serving for nearly two decades as a career politician.”

            “As an attorney, Mr. Curcio knows the law. As a matter of public policy and federal law, it is illegal for a private employer to impose his own terms and conditions in the middle of a contract negotiation. Clearly, Mr. Curcio’s attempt to similarly impose his own self-promoting terms and conditions for what should be a pleasant and informative public debate stink of dirty politics.”

            “I urge Mr. Curcio to reconsider and return to the negotiating table to mutually agree on an open and fair format for a much needed public forum,” said Mento. “Furthermore, I invite any legitimate nonpartisan organization to assist us in the fair organization of this forum.”