Independent Perspective #1616

Guest:  Todd Vaarwerk

Topic:  Virtual Meet the Candidates days for Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee and Wyoming Counties

Duration:  05:52

Published:  October 1, 2020

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Todd Vaarwerk, Chief Policy Officer of WNYIL, and your host is yours truly, Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Todd.

Guest:  Thanks, Ernie.

Host:  People are familiar with the WNYIL Family of Agencies know that over a period of years, we have helped individuals with disabilities and the general community get more familiar with those running on the November ballot with Meet the Candidate days in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Batavia. But the realities of COVID-19 have called for a change in plans, what is happening in its stead?

Guest:  We are still going to have a Meet the Candidates may because nothing is more important to the lives of people with disabilities, than being informed when you cast the ballot. But what we're doing this year is we're doing it virtually. We want to be able to make sure that you get access to the information and you can do it right from home. But in order to do that, we're going to shuffle the schedule around a little bit. Regular listeners will know that we do a Meet the Candidates day at each of our main locations in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Batavia. We're not going to do that, we're going to split to Meet the Candidates day up into state and federal candidates, with our races like president; the congressional representatives for districts 26 and 27; Our members of the state assembly; and our representatives in the State Senate. Those people who are alert listeners will notice that I did not mention federal senators. That's because neither of our federal senators are currently up for reelection. So, and then on a different day, we're going to do local candidates in all of the regions. We're going to do this virtually using our YouTube feed and for those people without access to the internet, there's going to be a phone number you can call to dial in and at least listen to our candidates who are speaking.

Host:  Todd, that sounds like a terrific alternative in these times. Could you give us the specific dates and times?

Guest:  Sure will. For the state of federal candidates that's Tuesday, October 27, 2020; for the local candidates that's Friday, October 30, 2020, and both of them will start at 1:00 p.m. and go to 4:00 p.m.

Host:  I imagine, like previous years, you're probably going to provide some issues of interest to people with disabilities, even though the entire community is invited to participate. And can you mention what some of those issues are?

Guest:  Well you know probably a lot of the questions are going to be slanted towards the response to the pandemic. But there's always critical questions in the area of housing and transportation and access to medical services. School activity, especially for kids with disabilities during the pandemic will probably be a reasonable issue. It's basically based on the questions that come to us, that we’ll ask the candidates for you.

Host:  Great. Although you're providing the telephone alternative to people that don't have access to the Internet, I believe that you're pursuing the possibility of cable television, although that still has to be worked out?

Guest:  Oh yeah, we're going to try and get this out to as many people as possible. The more knowledge you have before you step into the voting booth, the better off that you are.

Host:  And would you say that this is a particularly vital time for people to cast their ballots because programs for people with disabilities might be on the chopping block?

Guest:  Every election, Ernie, is important, but we only get to vote for president once every four years. That lends some extra level of importance because it drives federal decision making in terms of disability funding and priorities.

Host:  And I'm sure people are going to have some questions that might not be answered by just waiting for things to pop up on our Facebook pages, could you tell people where they should call to get more information?

Guest:  Absolutely. They can give me a call 716-836-0822 extension 101 or intrepid Community Engagement person Dan Colpoys at extension of 166.

Host:  And of course, we should assure our listeners that everyone including the minor parties is going to be invited to participate.

Guest:  Absolutely, Independent Living events are completely nonpartisan.

Host:  We appreciate your time, thanks for being with us.

Guest:  Thank you.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a Public Affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Todd Vaarwerk, Chief Policy Officer with WNYIL and your host was yours truly, Ernie Churchwell.