WILKES-BARRE — A debate between the candidates for the District B city council seat could happen as one of them contemplated an about-face on the meeting with less than a month to go before the general election.
Republican incumbent Tony Brooks last week declined the invitation of his Democratic challenger Mark Shaffer out of concern negative social media comments set the tone for the race.
On Monday Brooks indicated a possible change in his position if they could come to terms on the debate.
“I will consider it under certain conditions, but our two campaign teams have to have a meeting,” Brooks said.
Brooks declined to disclose the conditions and said he would speak with Shaffer at the upcoming candidates’ forum on Thursday hosted by the Wilkes-Barre branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People at the Mount Zion Baptist Church.
“That’s progress,” Shaffer said.
Shaffer had proposed a debate before the Nov. 5 election so the public could have the opportunity to learn about the differences between the candidates. It’s always been his intent to have it moderated by an independent person or group and at a time and place agreeable to both candidates, he said.
But the possibility of the candidates getting together appeared to be out of the question with Brooks making accusations that Shaffer dismissed as untrue.
“First, it’s death threats, verbal assaults, attacks on my marriage, then lies about raising taxes (always vote NO) now to making fun of my health. I will continue to run a positive campaign. Civility and character matters,” Brooks said in Friday post on his city councilman Facebook page.
The post drew a response calling for the death of Shaffer and his supporters that he said showed the hypocrisy of Brooks.
“This week Tony Brooks called for civility on his Facebook page, while at the same time he ‘liked’ comments calling for my death. This behavior is horrific. Supporting death threats against me and my supporters is unacceptable,” Shaffer responded on his campaign Facebook page.
Brooks said he offered apologies to Shaffer, but did not hear back from him. That silence is representative of the difference between the candidates, Brooks said, adding, “I think he lacks manners.”
Shaffer explained why he did not contact Brooks, saying, “Even in his apologies he continues to accuse me of things that are untrue.”
The public would benefit from the candidates going head-to-head on the issues in a public forum and so would Shaffer, he said.
“I want a proper apology, but I’m willing to let it go if he wants to debate,” Shaffer said.