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ELIZABETHTOWN — A public debate for Essex County district attorney was canceled, then reinstated after a challenger agreed to participate.

The debate is back on for Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School on Thursday, Aug. 27.

The debate been canceled earlier this week when only Republican incumbent DA Julie Garcia agreed to participate.

That event was originally to be jointly sponsored by the Democratic Women of Essex County, Republican Women of Essex County and Denton Publications, with a League of Women Voters representative acting as moderator.

But Republican challenger Kristy Sprague had said she wouldn't participate because she got the original invitation while she was busy with a trial; she favored holding a debate after the primary anyway.

But Adirondack Daily Enterprise Editor Peter Crowley said that he called Sprague Wednesday and got her to agree to a debate on the same date and location as the original.

Sprague said she was never against a debate.

"I'm looking forward to it. I never declined to debate. The debate was called off without hearing from me. I said, 'Let's go ahead (when Crowley called). Let's do this.'"

Garcia said she's glad Sprague agreed to debate.

"I believe there should be openness in the political process, and public debates are a great way for the voters to get a chance to meet the candidates and ask questions. Unfortunately, the Republican Party leadership and their endorsed candidate do not seem to share this philosophy."

She said the debate will be a good way for Sprague to get recognition in Essex County.

"Many of the voters in our county do not know my opponent. Our county wants a government that is transparent. For this to happen, we need to elect people who are willing to answer questions and discuss issues openly and honestly."

CANDIDATE HESITANT
A third announced candidate for district attorney, Brian Barrett of Lake Placid, said he has declined to debate because he is uncertain about his candidacy, at present.

Barrett said he will file his petitions only if he feels Garcia has no chance of winning.

"Julie deals with the tough issues that face this county," he said. "She does what's right, not what's popular."

He said he hopes Sprague does well in the debate.

"Being from Clinton County, she's not familiar with our issues."

Sprague, an assistant district attorney for Clinton County, lives in Plattsburgh but has promised to move to Essex County if elected. She is a native of Moriah.

She countered that she is very familiar with the situation in Essex County.

"I am well aware of the issues that plague Essex County, and I have a vast, proven record in law enforcement that will allow me to help deal with issues that have long been ignored."

ALL INVITED
Democratic Women President Rita Fitzgerald said she was sorry to have to cancel the first debate.

"By working together, the two groups felt we could reach a larger number of concerned Essex County citizens, not just Republican and Democrats but independents as well.

"Our objective was to have a fair and impartial debate, which would give the people of Essex County an opportunity to know the candidates, to learn what they have accomplished and what they hoped to accomplish for the good people of Essex County, if elected."

She said the three candidates were all invited.

"As time went by, the candidates narrowed down to only two: Kristy Sprague and Julie Garcia. A second invitation was sent out. Ms. Garcia accepted; Ms. Sprague did not. The debate has been canceled."

FAVORED DEBATE
When the invitation to participate in a debate arrived, Sprague said, she was conducting a trial in Clinton County Court and was too busy to respond to the e-mail. She was the lead prosecutor in a recent trial where Anthony Ciccone was convicted of abusing a baby.

"At no time was a phone call placed to me, knowing that I had been in trial since June 6," Sprague said.

She said Wednesday that she welcomed a debate and was glad when Crowley called.

"As the endorsed Republican candidate, I am more than ready to challenge the Democratic candidate, Ms. Garcia, to such a debate.

"My 11 years of prosecuting cases and my extensive trial record gives me experience unmatched by my opponent."

Garcia lost the Republican Party endorsement to Sprague but is still running as a Republican. Garcia did get the Democratic endorsement and is also running on that party line.

Garcia said she is happy Sprague agreed to a debate before the primary.

Sprague said she sees a debate as an opportunity to talk about "what we, as individuals, have accomplished as prosecutors in our careers."

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com