NEW ALBANY: England, Hubbard square off for mayor

By ERIC SCOTT CAMPBELL
Eric.Campbell@newsandtribune.com

It’s the man of few words versus the man of many. Right?The popular perception of Republican mayoral candidate Randy Hubbard is that he never uses 10 words when five will do. Democratic opponent Doug England is seen as more likely to explain with 20 at least.

Of course, those perceptions have been embellished by each man’s political circumstance.England, 63, was mayor, the face and voice of the city, for eight years in the 1990s. Council members, constituents and reporters seek a mayor’s comments on a wide range of issues, and when the fate of a bill or project hangs in the balance, the right, detailed explanation can be crucial.

More recently, Hubbard, 64, spent eight years as Floyd County sheriff, the leader of a police unit with lots of ground to cover. But the nature of police work means sheriffs rarely have incentive to explain developments more than necessary, and public-relations duties often fall to other officers.

Debatable

The perceptions were cemented after a request from an IU Southeast journalism professor. In August, Jim St. Clair asked both men to debate each other Oct. 16 or Oct. 17.

England said yes. Hubbard said no.

Hubbard cited a scheduling conflict from the outset, later adding that he didn’t believe a traditional debate would be as valuable to voters as would speaking with them one on one. England kept the event on his schedule anyway and spoke by himself to a panel of College Democrats and an audience of 40, taking time to chastise Hubbard for his refusal.

The only joint appearance came at a Develop New Albany-sponsored forum Wednesday night. England and Hubbard fielded questions, but in two separate, consecutive sessions; neither man was allowed in the room while his opponent spoke.

The previous two general-election mayoral campaigns included debates. But they also included incumbent mayors — England in 1999, Regina Overton in 2003, both of whom were unseated weeks later. This year, incumbent Mayor James Garner’s bid didn’t make it past the Democratic primary, as England beat him by 1 percent of the vote.

Read more on the Mayoral Race at the News & Tribune.