A free-admission, open-to-the-public debate for the two candidates, Anthony J. Picente, Jr., incumbent, and Michael J. Hennessy, challenger, vying for the Oneida County Executive seat, will be held Tuesday, October 22, 2019, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m., at the Utica Maennerchor Hall. The Maennerchor is the site of the annual German/Bavarian Festival on Flanagan Road in Marcy. The debate, co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Utica/Rome Metropolitan Area and the Observer-Dispatch, will begin with a moderator-directed session in which the candidates will be questioned by panelists chosen by the event sponsors. After a short intermission, a 20-minute fast-paced Q & A session will feature questions submitted to the moderator by the audience. Members of the public will learn the views of the candidates and get their questions answered during the last segment of the debate. As a reminder, Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th. The Utica Maennerchor Hall is handicapped accessible, with acres of parking adjacent to the building and comfortable seating inside for more than 250.

