The second mayoral debate of the preliminary election season saw the two frontrunners accuse each other of not being responsive to the people of Fall River.
Incumbent Mayor Paul Coogan, City Council President Cliff Ponte and challenger Jonathan Albernaz took part in the debate last Friday evening sponsored by Radio Voz De Emigrante WHTB. Challenger Michael Vandal was not in attendance.
The event turned out to be a referendum on the record of both Mayor Coogan and Councilor Ponte. On the matter of public safety, Ponte accused the mayor of not having a plan to grow the ranks of the police department in the face of an increase in crime.
Mayor Coogan responded by accusing Ponte of being absent following the shooting this past spring that resulted in the death of two Fall River residents in Corky Row. (EDITOR’S NOTE: This video was edited to remove the simultaneous Portuguese translation)
Albernaz told the debate audience he feels an increase in crime can be attributed to the influx of undocumented immigrants in Fall River. (EDITOR’S NOTE: This video was edited to remove the simultaneous Portuguese translation)
Ponte and Coogan also sparred over the format of the debate, with Ponte accusing the mayor of seeking to shorten the debate after the candidates agreed to a two-hour format.
A replay of the debate can be seen on FRCMedia Channel 95 as well as on-demand on our Election 2021 page.
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