In what seemed to be a good debate that lasted less than thirty minutes three candidates answered questions from Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank. The candidates are seated above according to the draw. Ms. Farah Despaignes drew number one, Sergeant John Perez drew number two, and Ms. Karines Reyes drew number three. There were questions about the candidates commitment to the community, and other topics. Both women candidates Ms. Despaignes and Ms. Reyes said that they came to the Bronx in 1999. Sergeant Perez answered that he had grown up in the Bronx.
As the debate went on the well rehearsed Ms. Reyes gave generic non committal answers, while Ms. Despaignes and Sergeant Perez gave more honest answers. At one point in the debate when State Senator Luis Sepulveda sat down next to me, I said to him your candidate seems to be well rehearsed, to which he smiled.
Farah Despaignes spoke of having been a teacher, but agreeing with John Perez that the current elected officials are not servicing the community the way the community should. John Perez spoke of his youth helping to organize "We Stay/Nos Quedamos in opposition to the gentrification of the Melrose Community in the 1990's. Karines Reyes gave answers almost as if she knew what the question was going to be, as her answers were very well rehearsed, and very vague using generic phrases. At a point in the debate John Perez said that all the things Karines Reyes is saying are already done, is she trying to take credit for them?
As to who won the debate, and who lost you if you did not see the 87th A.D. Bronxtalk debate, you can watch it when it is repeated on Optimum Cable channel 67,
Fios Cable channel 33, or on Bronxnet at
Bronxtalk host Gary Axelbank with the three candidates for the 87th A.D.
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