Ward 1 & 2 Candidates Squaring Off

The first of two East Providence candidates’ debates scheduled for this week takes place tonight, Oct. 15, at the Cape Verdean Progressive Center on Grosvenor Avenue.

The debates are sponsored by the League of Women Voters RI. Each one runs from 6 to 8 pm.

Tonight’s debate involves candidates from Wards 1 and 2. The next debate, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Riverside Congregational Church, involves candidates from Wards 3 and 4.

The cast of City Council candidates debating each other tonight, said Susan Escherich of the League of Women Voters, includes:

• Ward 1: James Briden and Edward Lynch
• Ward 2: Helder Cunha and Mayor Bruce Rogers

The School Committee candidates debating tonight, said Escherich, are:

• Ward 1: Elizabeth Clupny and Betty Jean De Crescenzo
• Ward 2: Anthony Ferreira and incumbent Stephen Furtado
• At Large: Joel Monteiro and Ronald Warr

The City Council candidates to debate on Wednesday are:

• Ward 3: Thomas Rose and Candace Seel

There will be no Ward 4 debate because candidate Chrissy Rossi is running unopposed with the withdrawal of incumbent Michael DiGioia.

The School Committee candidates debating on Wednesday are:

• At Large: Monteiro and Warr

House District 65 and 66 candidates also get in the act on Wednesday:

• District 65: Greg Amore and Joseph Botelho
• District 66: Incumbent Joy Hearn, Manfred “Fred” Diel and Eugene Saveory

Moderator for the debates will be Marie Hennedy of the League of Women Voters. She will be asking questions from the audience.

Anyone with a question must write it down on an index card. Questions will be screened for appropriateness and duplication, said Escherich.

The candidates also will have to abide by strict time limits for their answers. They can used a limited number of “wild cards” if they want to expand on a response, Escherich said.

Each candidate is expected to answer from 4 to 6 questions.

Both of the debates will be broadcast at later dates on Cox 17 and Verizon 24 or 25, Escherich said. The dates are Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20 and 21, at 1 pm and 8 pm for a repeat of tonight’s debate, and 3 pm and 10 pm for a repeat of Wednesday’s debate.