Candidates face off as election enters home stretch

On Tues., Nov. 4, Ward One, the district that includes most Yale undergraduates, will elect a new representative to New Haven's Board of Aldermen.

Liz Oliner/YH Robert Kokta, BK '00, (shown here) and Julio Gonzalez, CC '99, squared off in the first-ever formal debate for Ward One Alderman.

Julio Gonzalez, CC '99, the Democratic candidate, and Robert Kokta, BK '00, the Republican, have spent the past several weeks campaigning throughout campus. Kokta visited dorm rooms and made several speeches on Cross Campus, seeking "to reach as many Yale students as possible." Gon-zalez organized two fundraising events in October and coordinated pizza study breaks to meet with students. "Both turned out well," Gonzalez said.

Monday night, the candidates went head to head in a debate sponsored by the Yale Political Union. The debate was the first-ever devoted to the Ward One aldermanic race.

Sunday night before the debate, both candidates spoke confidently and recognized the significance of Monday's debate as the chief forum for appealing to voters. "This is the only opportunity people have to see both of us onstage. It is very important," Kokta said. However, Gonzalez admitted that he prefers personal interaction to formal presentations. "I always feel like there is a burden to be earnest and at the same time get attention," he said.

Debate rules allowed each candidate to make a short opening speech. With this, Kokta highlighted the need for "fresh ideas and a new outlook" in city government. While stressing his independence, he stated that "in the past, the Ward One alderman has been a rubber stamp for the mayor and ward selection committee," both of which are Democratic.

Julio Gonzalez, CC '99 Liz Oliner/YH

Gonzalez's speech emphasized his prior experience in the city, gained while working on Dwight Hall projects over two summers. "I am the candidate that has been here and seen the issues," he said. He also refuted claims of being a "puppet" of the city's Democratic party.

"Historically, the Ward One alderperson has been the most independent member of the Board," he said.

After the opening speeches, a panel of students each asked one question, to which the candidates had three minutes to respond, followed by a one-minute rebuttal. The panelists' three questions focused on the candidates' plans to increase student involvement in New Haven politics, and requested an appraisal of the current Board of Aldermen's actions.

Several members of the floor then asked questions about law enforcement, the Living Wage Initiative, and support for the arts.

In their responses, each candidate tried to distinguish himself from his opponent. Kokta focused on his platform details, such as lowering the tax rate, courting a first-run movie theater downtown, and encouraging stricter police action. "There is not a strong intention to enforce laws on the books," Kokta said.

Gonzalez, on the other hand, stressed cooperation between Yale and New Haven. He advocated opening the former Farmington Canal as a bike trail and park, and creating a "pragmatic policy for the downtown region."

The conclusion was especially heated, as Kokta scorned the recent mayoral appointment of Gonzalez to the post of interim alderman, replacing outgoing Ward One alderman Josh Civin, CC '96. Generally, however, the speakers were civil to each other during the debate, despite frequent disagreements in their rebuttals.

After the debate, Gonzalez was pleased with the performances of both Kokta and himself. "I was happy with my performance...I was really impressed with Bob's confidence, but I disagreed with some of his views and tactics."

Kokta was also satisfied with the debate, but wished that he could have expanded upon his ideas concerning education and the city's economic policies. "The debate served as a good forum to get out information on New Haven....My opponent displayed himself in the manner for which he is known. That gave the audience a clear view of where he stands," he said.

The audience of about 75 students found the debate informative and engaging. Candace Rand, BK '98, a registered Connecticut voter, said it "gives Yale students something to base their opinions on, instead of voting party-blind."

Fuerza Linda Fraga, BK '01, attended the debate in order to learn more about the candidates and advise her friends. "I feel better about myself when I have the information to tell people what the issues are," she said.

"I believe the debate helped illuminate the differences between the candidates," Independent Party Chair Michael Frazer, DC '00, said. "[But] I would have liked to see more panelists, and more publications represented."

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