Martin hits Yaede after mayor backs out of LWV debate

Hamilton’s Democratic mayoral candidate hit the Republican incumbent for backing out of a debate hosted by the League of Women Voters Monday.

“Mayor Yaede is thumbing her nose at the residents of Hamilton by refusing to accept the invite by the LWV,” Council President Jeff Martin said. “No one can contest the credibility or impartiality of the LWV but yet Mayor Yaede continues to duck a debate on the issues facing the voters of Hamilton.”

Citing emails earlier Monday, The Trentonian reported that Mayor Kelly Yaede initially agreed to attend an Oct. 28 debate hosted by the LWV on the condition that the league provide security for the event.

The league agreed but told her it needed a hard answer by 10 a.m. today. According to the Trentonian report, no such answer came.

Yaede previously declined a debate sponsored by the Trentonian.

“I have accepted invitations from The Trentonian and LWV but yet here we are, three weeks to the election, and Mayor Yaede still will not address the voters of Hamilton face-to-face,” Martin said. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised given she has also ducked the requests of Councilwoman Schirmer to hold a town hall to address the numerous scandals facing her administration.”