The Press of Atlantic City is partnering with Triax57 and Stockton University to televise a debate between Atlantic City mayoral candidates Marty Small Sr. and Thomas Forkin.
The live debate will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, in the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room at Stockton’s Atlantic City campus.
Small has been a member of City Council since 2003.
He was named mayor last year and approved by City Council following former Mayor Frank Gilliam’s resignation and guilty plea to stealing from a youth basketball program.
Forkin, the Republican candidate, is a former assistant city solicitor and vice chair of the Atlantic City Republican Club. The race is for a one-year unexpired term.
Press Staff Writer David Danzis will moderate the debate along with John Froonjian, executive director of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University. Triax57, an Atlantic City-based local streaming broadcast will produce and broadcast the event, said president John Heinz.
People are also reading…
Atlantic City residents can submit questions to be asked during the debate by emailing them to ddanzis@pressofac.com.
Atlantic City is currently operating under state control as part of an effort to strengthen city finances and diversify the city’s economy beyond casinos.
“A critical part of our election process is the ability of residents to hear directly from the candidates, but because of restrictions due to COVID-19, that isn’t happening as much this year,” said Press Executive Editor Buzz Keough. “Through this broadcast, we hope more people will be able to gather the information they need before they cast their ballots.”
The collaboration of the three partners will help ensure the debate is widely seen.
“The Hughes Center is proud to cosponsor this event as part of Stockton University’s commitment to community engagement in Atlantic City.” Froonjian said.
Because of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the public will not be allowed into the event.
However, the broadcast will be available on several websites: The Press’ website at (pressofac.com); Triax57 (triax57.com) and the Hughes Center (stockton.edu/hughes-center).
It will also be available for re-viewing through Election Day on Nov. 3.
Buzz Keough
Executive Editor
Welcome to the discussion.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.