Candidates debate prescriptions, education

by David Laber
Senior State Writer

Youngstown — Two democratic candidates in the 6^th Congressional District primary debated via satellite last night on prescription drug benefits and education standards.

Incumbent Ted Strickland, D-Lucasville, and Lou D’Apolito, an attorney from Boardman, fielded national, statewide and local questions during the hour-long debate broadcast from the ABC affiliate in Youngstown. Strickland participated from Ironton, where he spent the day campaigning.

In D’Apolito’s opening argument, he said he was the best candidate because he comes from the most populated region of the newly formed district, which should produce the district’s representative to Congress.

“I am here with you today for this debate and my opponent is Ironton,” he said. “This is an indication of how things will be if he is your representative. I was born here, raised here and I live here.”

Strickland countered that he has visited the northern counties for the past two-and-a-half months and has received support from Jefferson, Columbiana and Belmont county Democratic parties.

And he said his record with his constituents during the past eight years proves he can represent a widespread district.

“The people of the 6^th District will tell you I represent them with honesty, hard work and all of my efforts,” he said.

Both D’Apolito and Strickland agreed experience is not essential to win the election.

Though he admits to never holding a political office before, D’Apolito considers this a plus because he has no preconceived views on how government should be run.

Strickland added that he had not held any office prior to winning his Congressional seat.

Both candidates support a prescription drug plan for senior citizens. But D’Apolito questioned Strickland’s voting record on the matter.

Strickland explained he had voted against a Republican-introduced bill because the bill did not go far enough. He supported a more progressive prescription drug bill.

The candidates also argued about the value of proficiency testing.

D’Apolito supports proficiency testing because it helps to ensure that teachers are doing their jobs. He also said the parents’ role in their children’s education should be improved.

Strickland said students and teachers should be held accountable. But standardized tests are expensive and teachers ultimately end up teaching only to prepare students for the tests. He supports the use of tests to identify problems and produce remedies, but not to compare students and teachers.

The candidates agreed on issues such as abortion rights, NAFTA, revamping the nation’s steel industry and concerns with national infrastructure.

Both candidates are optimistic about their chances at the polls this May 7.

“I am going to make a prediction,” Strickland said. “I am going to win Mahoning, Columbiana, Belmont and Jefferson counties and this primary.”

But his challenger D’Apolito also expects that he will be on the ballot this November.

“I, quite frankly, think I’m going to win this thing,” he said.

A third candidate, Charles Brown from Yorkville, could not participate in the debate because he was in Florida meeting his new grandson.

“I think my grandson is more important,” Brown said. “Nothing is better than having your own children until you have a grandchild.”