by Seth Rogovoy

(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Victor Mendolia, Democratic candidate for Mayor of the City of Hudson, has scheduled a town-hall style meeting, to which he has invited Republican incumbent William Hallenbeck Jr., to address questions posed by the audience, on Saturday, October 26, 2013, at 2pm, in the auditorium of the newly renovated Second Ward Foundation (the former Charles Williams School at 71 North 3rd Street, at the corner of Robinson and North 3rd).

The town hall meeting will be moderated by Francesca (Olsen) Shanks, an editor at the Berkshire Eagle and former city editor of the Register-Star, and another moderator yet to be determined. Hallenbeck, should he decide to participate in the question-and-answer session, is being given the option of naming the co-moderator. Written questions, which will be sorted and asked by the moderators, will be accepted from audience members beginning at 1:45pm.

Mendolia intends the meeting to replace a debate that was to be sponsored by the Register-Star and WGXC and which Hallenbeck declined to participate in, pleading that he is too busy running the city of 6,000 to attend.

Mendolia commented, “I am thrilled to be holding this town hall meeting in the Second Ward, an area of the city that is often the forgotten ward of Hudson. I look forward to seeing people from all over Hudson join us in the Second Ward, where I live, for this meeting to discuss Hudson’s future.”

Mendolia added, “I hope that the mayor will reconsider and allow the public to compare our visions and our plans for the city. But either way, I will be there ready to share my thoughts and hear from the public about their concerns.”

The mayor has not responded to a query as to his intentions.