DAVIS STATES THAT ALL RECORDS ARE OPEN FOR DEBATE
Rick Davis, Democratic Party candidate for Mayor of Evansville, learned through the news media today that his opponent has challenged him to a public debate. However, Davis — who officially announced his candidacy on Nov. 11, 2010, said the Troy Tornatta campaign never has communicated a desire to debate Davis before the May 3 primary election.
Tornatta, who has been a candidate for two months, mentions in a press release that jobs are a paramount importance to voters going to the polls in less than 3 weeks.
However, in April 2009, when Tornatta was a County Commissioner, he stood in front of the Downtown Evansville Rotary Club and gave a 100-day report on County government. Tornatta said: “Please keep in mind that all of the best politicians with their most compelling ideas CANNOT GET A COMPANY TO RELOCATE OR STAY IN THEIR COMMUNITY.”
His words were prophetic, as Whirlpool announced it was leaving Evansville only 4 months later.
Now candidate Tornatta is running a television ad stating we need to do “more with our schools and colleges to develop high-tech jobs,” and then he has the nerve to stand in front of Whirlpool and says government can “do more to retrain people who have lost their jobs.” He ends his commercial by saying “we don’t have time for politics, we need to create jobs.”
My opponent can’t have it both ways. As a Commissioner, his attitude was more or less “there’s nothing we can do” to land quality, high-paying jobs to Evansville. But as a candidate, he implies job creation and retention is a top priority.
Actions speak louder than words. However, my opponent’s actions AND words as a Commissioner speak volumes. He had his chance to be a leader in economic development and job growth as a County Commissioner, and he publicly stated it was not possible. What did my opponent do to prevent Whirlpool from leaving town? Nothing. Because he said it wasn’t possible.
I disagree with my opponent’s statement to the Rotary members and I have a plan of action. I will head a committee of business leaders, organized labor, and representatives from our schools and universities and we will meet publicly on a monthly basis and show our taxpayers what is being done to attract business and industry to Evansville. Taxpayers currently have no idea what is being done in that regard, and we deserve to know that our government and community leaders are doing to not only bring jobs into Evansville, but also to retain the jobs we currently have.
Regarding the debate, my opponent had better be ready to debate how he wants to continue the Weinzapfel administration’s path of denying 46,000 homeowners $5 million in homestead credits, or holding “caucuses” — a quorum of City Council members — in the mayor’s office before City Council meetings. He had better be ready to debate how he pushed the controversial patient safety ordinance through the Commissioners without any public input. I have knocked thousands of doors and held 8 Town Hall meetings already in this campaign, and I haven’t found anybody who wants more of the same. My opponent represents more of the same.
My schedule has been set for many days and I already know my opponent’s views on local government. I would rather focus my remaining time going door-to-door and talking with residents on their front porches and in their living rooms, getting the opinions of the taxpayers, because we all have a vested interest in moving Evansville forward.
Rick Davis
Thank you, Rick. You are going to make a fantastic mayor.
So, when the booze crew tries to ram a baseball complex down the throats of a Davis administration…
He might not have time in his busy schedule to address it?
Come on Davis, stand up and show some fight!
We don’t like or need obfuscators. And whether you like it or not, you cannot be a good Mayor communicating only one on one with little ladies down the block! But I do agree that you’ll have a challenge on your hands with these DC handlers that apparently are in the mix.
But if you don’t like the TERMS… DEMAND the debate be a CCO – E-DEBATE!
Tornatta only wants a debate at this late hour because he is losing so badly. He is grasping at straws trying to stop or steal his opponent’s momentum. Davis doesn’t need the debate.
The Democratic Committee picks Tornatta as their candidate for Mayor. He couldn’t even win his last election. If Tornatta becomes the Democratic candidate through this primary, it virtually guarantees a Republican victory later.
Once again, Rick comes out on top. It is so exciting to think of Evansville’s future with Rick Davis as mayor!
this is why I support Rick Davis
Right ON, RICK…….The OTHER WANTS IT BOTH WAYS…..THAT IS HOW THAT GROUP LIKES IT. THEY NEED YOU………YOU DON’T NEED THEM……..YOU’VE DONE ALL RIGHT ……..WHERE HAS HE BEEN…..KEEP BEING THE WINNER YOU ARE…….SO PROUD.
There is no debate about Tornatta’s campaign platform he is the 2nd coming of Weinzapfel only angrier and not as intelligent. The voters will send the same message as was sent him last November we don’t want you Troy.
Davis is a coward!
The CCo prints Davis’s response, but not Tornatta’s call for a debate. The CCo has been saying for months that the candidates need to debate the issues. The hypocrisy of the CCO is at an all time high.
Tornatta did not provide us with his call for debate. We learned about it by reading another publication. If the Tornatta campaign would recognize that we are a media outlet and send us releases we would be happy to post his news events. Only two Evansville entities have chosen not to send us their releases. Those two are the Tornatta campaign and the office of Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel.
That’s because they blackball CCO. They should not. CCO keeps the pot stirred and the candidates on their toes.
Mr. Tornatta is,—“Weinzapfel the Worst” part II– Sorry , Hands down,– No thanks, been there, done that,–regret it immensely.
After 40yrs of decline, a Better Evansville begins with tossing the “Darkside” Democrats to the sidelines.
Good Luck Mr. Davis.
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