Rich Mastrangelo for Essex County Sheriff

MASTRANGELO CHALLENGES FONTOURA TO
FIRST DEBATE IN A DECADE

The Public Deserves an Informed Choice in
November's Sheriff Election

(Cedar Grove, NJ) -- The last time Sheriff Armando Fontoura had to defend his record and debate the issues, Bill Clinton was just starting his second term and 'Y2K' was the disaster that would end the world. The last time Fontoura faced an opponent, cell phones were a novelty and 'Seinfeld' was must-see-TV. Fontoura hasn't debated in an election since 1997, back when the biggest county threat that Emergency Management had to worry about was icy roads.

Today Sheriff candidate Detective Rich Mastrangelo challenged Armando Fontoura to a series of debates on the current state of the Sheriff's Office, new challenges to public safety, and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Mastrangelo suggested the first debate be held at Seton Hall University.

"I believe the citizens of this county should get a chance to hear an intelligent debate on how well they are being protected. I invite my opponent to a discussion on the issues,� said Mastrangelo. "We should have a debate in every single Essex town--just like Armando Fontoura suggested to his opponent in 1991."

In 1991, back when the Soviet Union was still around and 'Cheers' was must-see-TV, Sheriff Fontoura invited his challenger, Arthur Clay, to 22 joint appearances.

Mastrangelo would like to discuss the lack of manpower at the Sheriff’s Office and lack planning at the OEM. He also seeks debate on his proposals to arrest Internet predators, battle witness intimidation, and transfer control of the Jail.

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From The Star-Ledger, 9/22/1991:

ESSEX SHERIFF AND RIVAL AGREE TO DEBATE SERIES
Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura, the Democratic nominee for sheriff, has challenged his Republican opponent to join him in a series of campaign appearances, and GOP candidate Arthur Clay has accepted. Fontoura said joint appearances - one in each Essex County community - will give voters the opportunity to meet the candidates, review their qualifications and hear their proposals for fighting crime in Essex County. The Democratic nominee cited his 25 years of experience in the Newark Police Department and the sheriff's office as he argued, 'I have always found the public to be interested and concerned about the law enforcement issues that affect their lives.'

CONTACT: Jack Grimes
(908) 887-2268 cell