Debate: Frank Meola vs. Frank Vescera

The two candidates vying to become the President of the Utica Common Council will go head-to-head in a political debate on First News with Keeler in the Morning on WIBX, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October, 23rd from 8:00 a.m. to 9 a.m..

Council President Frank Meola (D) will face-off against his challenger, Councilman Frank Vescera (C) for what is anticipated to be a rather heated exchange as there is no love loss between the two public servants.

Both Meola and Vescera have used the courts to go after each other in recent political procedural disputes.  Vescera played a role in removing a candidate that Meola supported

from the Independence Party line and Meola was successful in removing Vescera from the

Democratic line prior to the primary and he also help remove former Council member Jim Zecca from the ballot due to a petition signature deficiency.

It hasn't yet been determined if the two candidates will entertain phone calls from listeners.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th.  A Councilor at Large seat is also up for grabs; Jack Lomedico (D) is facing challenger Tim Trent who is on the Conservative Party line.