Democratic challenger Amy Inman floated the idea last week, saying she's eager to talk about issues in Hamilton.
HAMILTON - Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede will not be meeting Democrat Amy Inman's challenge to debate her three times at the township's three high schools.
Calling it a "desperate, last-minute attempt" to get name recognition, Yaede said: "I've rejected the replacement candidate for the Democratic party request for three debates."
Inman floated the idea last week.
Inman said she's eager to talk about issues in Hamilton, but in recent months, "We've seen the current administration accuse anyone who criticizes their policies of being 'political' or 'attacking them.'," she said in a statement.
Inman noted how she's already talked about heroin, and what she described as a proven, effective approach to addressing this issue, Project SAVE, which she says will reduces the burden on taxpayers and the workload in the town's municipal court system.
RELATED: Candidate demonstrates heroin antidote
"In the interest of discussing this and other issues, I would like to ask Mayor Yaede to meet in a series of free forums, one at each of our 3 Hamilton High Schools," she said in a statement. "As candidates, we have an obligation to meet with the public, hear their concerns and voice our ideas."
Describing Inman as "late to the race," Yaede said she launched her re-election bid in March and has been doing just fine meeting with residents and discussing how Hamilton is experiencing record-low crime and economic development.
Inman was tapped by Hamilton Democrats to run for council in March, alongside Mayoral candidate Jill Moyer, and council candidate Joanne Bruno. Inman then became the mayoral candidate when Moyer dropped out of the race after the June primary.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
