Dominic Carter hosted a roundtable debate on NY1 between the four 30th District Council candidates on Friday night, which had special election contenders asking each other questions at one point in the segment.

Carter began the debate by questioning how the special election contenders would reinvigorate the morale of voters throughout the 30th District after the infamous fall of Dennis Gallagher.

Both Como and Crowley mentioned they resided in the district their whole lives. With that knowledge, Como said voters would be interested in bringing “integrity back to the council” while Crowley claimed she could “unite people.”

Ognibene said that his track record and “hallmark of good service” should give voters a newfound sense of security, while Ober said his own history of service would benefit the district he plans to work for.

When asked if he felt handpicking Dennis Gallagher as his political protégé was a mistake, Ognibene said it wasn’t.

“For the first five years people appreciated his service,” he said. “I can’t account for what happens in someone’s personal life,” which he said went in the “wrong” direction.

Ognibene added that the election would put this episode behind them and allow him to pick up where he left off when term limits forced him from the same post in 2001. He also said he still thinks that the hopes and dreams of his past work can be continued.

A “learning curve” and his experience, Ognibene said, will allow him to take full charge on day one. Como, however, disagreed. The hopeful said his current work in the community is what matters.

“I’ve been involved now and I’m someone who is going to be here for the next few elections,” he said. “I’ll carry the seat far in the next ten years.”

Ober went after recently publicized violations and audits to Crowley’s 2001 campaign. She answered by saying she was going to make sure it wouldn’t happen again.

Then Como asked Ognibene if he was still going to run if he wins the special election in June, which will be followed by a November election and a 2009 one.

He said he was making a commitment to the people who voted for him. Then, for his part, Ognibene asked Como about the capital budget. Como began to answer before the former councilman turned more specific. “How much is it?” he wondered.

When Como didn’t have an answer, Ognibene proceeded to give him the figures of $31 billion with $14.7 billion going to education. Host Carter then asked the four candidates clearly: “If you’re running for City Council shouldn’t you know the capital budget?”

With the last seconds ticking away, all the candidates weighed in on what they would do with the budget. Crowley said she would fight for kids and their education.

Ober said moral choices had to be made for seniors. Como said seniors were his priority, and Ognibene closed things by saying he hoped for more openness and oversight when looking into the budget “to protect the most vulnerable.”

Source: Queens Ledger