Odessa Tea Party hosts candidates

ODESSA—Two more candidates were interviewed by the public at the Odessa Tea Party’s latest meeting, Wednesday, July 28, at the Odessa Village Community Room.
Last week’s candidates were Jim Hare, Democrat for the 137th Assembly seat, and Jim Bacalles, Republican for the 53rd Senate seat. Greg Phenes, co-founder of the Odessa Tea Party group, said there were around 45 people in attendance for this meeting.
People were able to ask questions to find out where the candidates stood on various topics. Phenes said both stated they were willing to work across party lines.
He added that Bacalles gave a run-down of his accomplishments, as part of the New York state assembly, and how things operate there. Phenes said Bacalles is not in favor of changing the state constitutional convention now, as well as the health care reform. However, he added that Bacalles said we won’t know how the reform will affect us until farther down the road.
Phenes said Hare said he is not at all in favor of the constitutional convention. Phenes added the candidate also said he was pro-choice and against state Assembly Speaker Shelon Silver on the whole.
Phenes added previous meetings have featured other candidates, including Chris Friend, Tom Reed, and Schuyler Legislature candidates Angie Franzese and Phil Barnes. There will be another “Meet the Candidates” night Aug. 18, featuring Reed again, and Tom O’Mara at 7 p.m.