William Hallenbeck Jr.

(HUDSON, N.Y.) – William Hallenbeck, the incumbent mayor of this small city of about 6,000, has refused an invitation to publicly debate his lone challenger, Victor Mendolia, saying he’s too busy running things to prepare for such a debate.

According to a report in the local newspaper of record, the Register-Star, Hallenbeck, a Republican, has declined offers from several local media outlets, including the Register-Star and the community-run radio station WGXC, to host such a debate. In addition to being too busy running the city (but not too busy, Hallenbeck himself points out, to campaign for re-election without having to address his opponent or facing public questioning), Hallenbeck points out, in effect, that none of the other candidates for city offices are debating, so why should he? The mayor is apparently unable or unwilling to differentiate between the city’s most important elected office and all the rest of them.

Victor Mendolia

“It is incredibly disappointing that Mayor Hallenbeck has refused to participate in a debate,” Mendolia said in a statement published on his website. “All elected officials should face their constituents and make the case for their re-election. But his refusal comes as no surprise. The mayor has no plan for Hudson’s future and has no record of success to stand on. So not wanting to further expose his lack of vision and the lackluster record of his first term any further publicly, makes perfect sense. It’s just more of the same.”