Klarides and Hynes Talk Education, Other Issues at Patch Debate

(Click the videos above to watch questions from the debate. Patch will add video for more questions throughout the week.) 

In a Monday night debate at Orange's High Plains Community Center, the candidates for Connecticut's 114th State Representative seat occasionally found some surprising common ground. But both Rep. Themis Klarides (R) and challenger Aldon Hynes (D) found ways to distinguish themselves to the crowd of about 40, including of the district (Orange, Woodbridge and Derby.)

One clear difference came in education policy -- moderator Jean Rabinow asked the candidates their positions on state public education funding. (See videos above for candidates' responses to questions on school funding -- including alternatives to public education like charter schools and vocational schools -- and narrowing achievement gaps between rich and poor districts.)

Rabinow, of Connecticut's League of Women Voters, moderated the debate, which ran for about an hour, and League of Women Voters members assisted in timekeeping and organization. (Patch sponsored and hosted the debate, and teamed with Chip's Family Restaurant to provide a raffle drawing for a $20 Chip's gift card.)

As the candidates pointed out during the debate, this was their first chance to share ideas in person. But they'll barely get a breather -- or, at least, a full night's sleep -- before . (Other invitees to this annual debate include 14th District Senatorial candidates Gayle Slossberg (D) and Mike DeGrego (R), 117th District State Representatives Paul Davis (D), and 119th District State Representative candidates James Maroney (D) and Pam Staneski (R).

Over the next few days, Patch will feature the candidates' answers on a variety of questions from health care reform to recycling and alternative energy. Stay tuned!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Interested in Bethwood's news, events, community bulletins, blogs and businesses? Sign up for the free Bethwood Patch daily newsletter, "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.