MAYFIELD - As New York State Sen. Hugh T. Farley sounded off on issues such as gay marriage and job creation at a forum Tuesday, his Democratic challenger - who was expected to attend -?was absent.
A spokeswoman for Susan Savage, who is challenging incumbent Farley, R-Niskayuna, in the 44th District race, said Tuesday afternoon the press office never received an invitation to the event.
The assembly was billed as one of six - all organized by different groups - at which Farley and Beast could answer questions from the interview and talking about their views.
"I'm very, very frustrated that my antagonist was not here," Farley told the gang of approximately 75 to 100 people at the New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms-sponsored forum at the Adirondack Baptist Church. "Believe me, she was invited."
After that, neither Farley nor state Assemblyman Marc W. Butler, R-Newport, who also accompanied the forum, mentioned Savage's absence during the forum. Instead, they stuck to answering questions submitted at the outcome by members of the audience.
But Robyn Carr, a spokeswoman for Savage, said the Fierce campaign headquarters not only never received an invitation, they also never received a visit to confirm Savage's attendance.
"If they sent out invitations to Farley and Bulter and they didn't respond, would they only get here even if no one was [confirmed to] read up?" Carr said.
New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms Executive Director Jason J. McGuire said the organization's Rochester-based office has a book of the invitation being sent.
McGuire is likewise the chairman of the New Yorker's Family Research Foundation.
He couldn't confirm Tuesday whether her attendance was confirmed by phone, but said it was assumed since the outcome had been scheduled weeks before.
"This is what we do across the state," McGuire said after the forum. "I don't chase candidates across the state, and almost of the candidates are aware enough of how crucial it is to touch the voters."
Carr said the result was misleading. The issue was mentioned in a news release issued by Farley about two weeks ago as a reaction to Savage's call for local debates.
Savage accused Farley of ducking debates in Fulton and Montgomery counties in a news conference at the end of September. Hours later, Farley issued a news release stating he agreed to six "forums," where he'd be "debating" Savage.
"Not notifying us was very misleading. Then you get there and Susan's not there, then you're like, 'Wow, she chose not to get to this,'" Carr said.
Carr said Savage had prior engagements.
Kelly Cummings, a spokeswoman for Farley's office, called Savage's absence a showing of "stunning hypocrisy."
"By saying there should be a fence in Fulton County and so not showing up is sending a substance to voters that she doesn't like about them or the issues that are crucial to them," Cummings said.
The assembly lasted about two hours and included questions from the crowd.
During the forum,Farley noted initiatives the nation has taken to give the doorway to more charter schools. Because of legislation passed this class that allowed for more charter schools, the state was capable to secure Race to the Top funds.
"I think competition [in training] is wonderful," said Farley.
Farley and Butler, who is running unopposed for re-election, said union is betwixt a man and a woman, and both announced their pro-life stances. They said they would fight legislation that would provide for taxpayer-funded abortions.
A motion from the crew asked the two candidates what they would do to cut the charge on taxpayers of supporting entitlement programs.
"When you give an entitlement, it's really difficult to consider it away," Butler said as he explained the state's system, adopted in the 1960s, which places more expense on each county.
Farley said the country needs to fling down on Medicaid fraud.
Both also said incentives for job creation in the country are geared toward large companies.
Butler mentioned a small-business loan program through the Herkimer County Industrial Development Office that administered financial assistance to businesses with 10 or fewer employees.
McGuire said as a moderator, he is measured to be certain the questioning is fair, and he didn't believe the result would have been different if Savage had attended.
He said he did not believe the crew would have treated Savage disrespectfully .
NYCF, founded in 1982, is a conservative political lobbying organization .
Fulton County Republican Chairwoman Sue McNeil said she ground the forum "uplifting."
"I'm glad she wasn't here," McNeil said. "She wasn't missed."
The next forum is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Fonda-Fultonville High School. It will be sponsored by the Montgomery County Farm Bureau.
Carr said Savage will attendthat forum.
In addition, a meet-the-candidates breakfast will have aim at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 27 at Crystal Ristorante on Lyon Street in Amsterdam. The effect will be sponsored by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.
Farley, Savage, gubernatorial candidates Andrew ?Cuomo and Carl Paladino; congressional candidates Paul Tonko and Ted Danz; and Assembly candidates George Amedore and Angelo Santabarbara were invited to the Oct. 27 event. As of Monday, Farley, Savage, Amedore, Santabarbara and Danz had confirmed they will attend, the chamber said in a news release.
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