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September 13, 2002/Tishri 7 5762, Vol. 55, No. 3
Economy, education dominate debate
BARRY COHEN
Editor
Less than a week before the Arizona gubernatorial primary election - won by Republican Matt Salmon, Democrat Janet Napolitano, Libertarian Barry Hess and Independent Richard Mahoney - candidates had a chance to sway undecided voters and clarify policy positions at a debate sponsored by the Hadassah Valley of the Sun, Women I Should Know (W.I.S.K.) group.
Seven of the 11 candidates attended the event - Democrats Alfredo Gutierrez, Janet Napolitano, Mike Newcomb and Mark Osterloh; Libertarian Barry Hess; Republican Carol Springer; and Independent Richard Mahoney.
Absent were Republicans Betsey Bayless, Matt Salmon and Diana Kennedy and Libertarian Gary Fallon.
Approximately 250 people were present at the event, held Sept. 4 at Temple Chai of Phoenix. Questions taken from the floor focused on economics and education.
After the debate, various audience members expressed their reactions.
The candidates said the next governor will have to scale back the state budget, but at the same time, they advocated education programs that will require them to spend more money, said attendee Sey-mour Sallit.
"There is no 'free lunch.' If you have programs, you have to pay for them," said attendee Vi-vian Sallit. Only Gutierrez was realistic with his answer that taxes may have to be raised to cover costs, she added.
For some participants, the debate confirmed their prior beliefs.
Hadassah member Shirley Grossman said she favored Attorney General Napolitano before the event and that the debate only solidified this belief.
"Her answers were accurate and true," she said. "She has knowledge about how the Arizona government works and what our state needs."
Attendee Nancy Stiegel said she was impressed by both Osterloh and Napo-litano, particularly with their responses of how to fix the state's education crisis.
Other audience members said the debate format did not allow candidates enough time to express their views.
Since the candidates only had one minute to respond to questions, they could not expand upon their policies, said Sandra Goodman. "The problems in this state are so enormous now - budget problems, education problems - in one minute, how can anyone present any real solutions?"
The format of the debate, allowing opening and closing statements and more than an hour of questions and answers, was designed to educate the community about the issues, said Lee Levine, president of Hadassah Valley of the Sun chapter.
"We're hoping to have another gubernatorial debate before the Nov. 5 general election," she added.
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