The Chautauqua League of Women Voters held a debate between Rep. Tom Reed and John Plumb in Mayville. It was recorded by Chautauqua Community TV Channel 5 and that video is included. The debate was sponsored by the two largest newspapers in the county, the Dunkirk Observer and the Jamestown Post-Standard. The editors of those newspapers each asked an opening question.
The main topics and approximate time of each question are listed below.
Please note that John Plumb had a problem with the microphone in the beginning of the debate. Although the sound wasn’t too bad on the recording, it was difficult for the audience to hear him. As you will see a League of Women Voters official stopped the debate to help get the microphone correctly situated.
The candidates had two minutes to answer the question, and one minute for a rebuttal. A candidate could respond to a rebuttal.
Rep. Reed’s six year experience is a double headed sword. He uses it describes the needs of the district and that he “cares” about our problems, but it gives Plumb the opportunities to bring up Reed’s voting record.
Plumb unashamedly admitted to the negative aspects of both the Affordable Care Act and the NYS SAFE Act. He offered ways to improve the ACA, and reminded us that his job for twenty-two years was to uphold the Constitution, including the Second Amendment.
Reed thanked John for his years of service to our country.
It was a good debate, good give and take.
If you want to get to the meat of the debate quickly, start at about the 6 minute mark. Each candidate will introduce himself before answering the Opening Questions which were asked by the newspapers’ Editors.
00:57–Introductions
6:14–Opening Question 1–What is the most urge problem we are facing today, and how would you solve it?
12:45– Opening Question 2–What action for you, the House of representative member will best improve the lives of Chautauqua residents in the next two years?
17:12– Congressional Dysfunction
22:31 Environment
29:09 Fair Pay for Women
32:12- Affordable Care Act
36:16–Social Security
43:16–Immigration
46:55–SAFE Act/Assault Weapons/Background Checks
53:20–Donald Trump’s Policies
57:00–Veteran’s Access to Care
1:01–Concluding Statements
New NY 23rd 
Thanks for breaking down the timeline for easy access to specific points.
John eloquently smashed Trump, and therefore Reed. Reed has made only two quasi-negative statements that I’m aware of on Trump. The first was his ( Reed’s) plan to squelch Trump’s incessant trash talk about others. Well, we all know that didn’t work. Reed is a useful gnat in Trump’s entourage – As far as Trump caring what Reed thinks or what might be good for Reed – Trump could not care less). The second was to mild chastise Trump’s blatant remark about women. All other statements and they have been few, suggest that Reed is all in for the Trump’s immigrant policy, using nuclear bombs on supposed enemies, doing away with the IRS and Homeland Security, plus shutting down the free press if they choose to disagree with Trump. Reed is a no vote for sanity, peace, and the Constitution.
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And Reed outright lied about smearing Hillary and John. I guess Reed doesn’t believe people read his posts on Facebook and other statements in the news?
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Reed claims to be a “bipartisan hero;” this is blatantly false. Does Tom Reed really believe that President is an entry level job requiring no experience or other qualifications? It sure seems to be true.
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