The students of Prof. Mary Murray's Editorial Page class received some realistic experience in journalism the evening of?Monday, Oct. 14 in the Pogue Student Center.
A month and a half of planning came to fruition when the two candidates for Erie County executive, Barry Grossman and Mike Kerner, shared the spotlight in a political forum that began at 7 p.m.
"This political forum is a wonderful opportunity for students to use the skills they learn in their course and apply them in a professional setting," said Murray.
The Department of Communication and Media Studies sponsored the event, titled "Decision '09."?It lasted until 8:30 p.m., and each student had the opportunity to present one question to each candidate, with time left for the other to rebutt.
The students had researched their topics thoroughly in class before being given the opportunity to shine in a forum that was seen on TV and heard on the radio.
Communications graduate student Adam Campbell acted as timekeeper, holding up homemade paddles to indicate when the candidate's speech time was running low.
The questions delved into an array of different arenas, touching upon every possible relevant topic for the upcoming race.
Chair of the communications department Anthony Peyronel kicked off the forum. There were some minor technical difficulties before the talking got well under way.
Every hot-button issue that will be on voters' minds come Election Day was recited by the students, who either asked Democrat?Grossman or Republican Kerner individually. Students touched on issues like the tires-to-energy plant, the revenue of the nearby Presque Isle?Downs casino and the proposed community college.
The latter of these was one of the more controversial subjects, especially because of the forum's setting.
Grossman emphasized, above everything, "quality of life"?issues whereas Kerner pushed the need for "economic development."
The county 911 center was one of the first things addressed, as well as the ousting of former county public safety director Joseph Weindorf. Grossman was questioned first and spoke with great respect for him.
Kerner, who is a firefighter, had a minute to respond.
"It's the worst day of your life when you call 911,"?he said to the audience.
Kerner was asked by one student to clarify his "Plan B"?budget, which he lists as a featured project on his Web site, "friendsofmikekerner.com."?
"It's called a contingent budget. What it means is we plan for a rain day,"?he said.
Both candidates are local business owners and could speak from their experience on that front.
Grossman kept his firm stand on his opposal to the tires-to-energy plant. "I'lll be against it today, I'll be against it tomorrow, I'll be against it forever,"?he declared after rattling off a list of the hazards it would present the citizens of Erie.
At times the night drew a lot of heat from both sides, igniting passions.
Student Ali Kerner, who participated by asking a question about library services, found it to be a worthwhile project, in the end.
"If I could attend or participate in such a forum, I would be a much more informed voter, and more likely to vote. It was nice to get some personal time to meet the candidates and I think rookie professor Murray did a bang-up job,"?she said.
Murray raved about her class, "the students in Editorial Page displayed great professionalism in researching the candidates and issues and developing articulate, insightful questions for the candidates."
The elections will be held Nov. 3 in Erie County, as well as across the nation.
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