Independent Perspective 1717 with Katie Cotter about the Meet the Candidates Day in Batavia.
Host: Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Katie Cotter, NY Connect Specialist with Independent Living of the Genesee Region (ILGR). I'm your host Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Katie.
Guest: Thank you so much for having me on. I love being on your show.
Host: Well, we're certainly glad to hear that. You're here because you have at least the information that is known to date about one of the biggest annual events in the Batavia office, which is the Meet the Candidates Day at ILGR. So why don't you mention it and we'll repeat at the end. Where and when is it?
Guest: All right, so we have Meet the Candidates this year. It's going to be October 25 at our Batavia location, which is 319 West Main Street in Batavia. We are hoping, we haven’t gotten any candidates saying that they're coming or they're going to be on Zoom yet, we haven't gotten the list yet. But this year for elections, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor is up. Comptroller is up. Attorney General, United States Senator, States Supreme Court Justice, representation in Congress, State Senator, Member of Assembly, county coroner and Councilman at large. So, this is a bigger election. So we want people to be able to meet the candidates so that they know what they're going to represent because they're representing us here and we need to have our voices out and we need to know what they're going to represent and how they are going to affect our counties, our places where we live in our lives.
Host: Well, that's wonderful. Of course, even if this were an off-off year election like last year, and we mainly have local council members and things of that nature. It's still a good idea to get out there and make your vote count because those are the people that in the future will most likely wind up being the assembly person, state senators and higher offices. Do you have a great expectation that Kathy Hochul will be stopping by Batavia on the 23rd?
Guest: I am hoping, she's a Western New Yorker. Yes, I'm really hoping, and she is on the ballot. So, you know, fingers crossed. That would be amazing.
Host: Oh, indeed it would be. And of course, there's no charge for this event. Nor are people required to pre-register I don't believe?
Guest: No, we do ask people to let us know if they are coming just so that we make sure that we have enough seating you know due to COVID restrictions and stuff like that. But no anyone is invited, anyone can come. We can set up a couple of different rooms if we have a lot of people show up. We are hoping that we can get the community out to meet the candidates.
Host: It's certainly a good opportunity for people and as most people know, this is the year that the control of the US Senate and House of Representatives could be up for grabs. And it's in everybody's interest to make their opinions heard on this, so that things are more likely to go the direction that they want. And just in case people didn't have a pencil handy, could you give us the date and time again?
Guest: The date is going to be October 25 of this year 2022 and the location is our Batavia office 319 West Main Street Batavia, New York.
Host: And of course, October 25 is a Tuesday and what are the hours?
Guest: The hours are going to be 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the 25th
Host: And if people have questions who can they call?
Guest: They can contact Cathy, our Administrative Assistant. Her number is 585-815-8501 and her extension is 400.
Host: Thanks so much for being with us, Katie.
Guest: Thank you again for having me.
Host: It's our pleasure. You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Katie Cotter, NY Connects Specialist at ILGR and I've been your host Ernie Churchwell.