10/07/2005
Round 2 showdown
Gregg M. Miliote , Herald News Staff Reporter

FALL RIVER -- Mayoral candidates Edward M. Lambert Jr. and F. George Jacome sparred over everything from education to liquefied natural gas Thursday night during round two of three scheduled debates this campaign season.
Both candidates stayed on message before a crowd of 70 people at St. Michael’s Church, with Lambert hammering away at what he sees as a lack of real plans coming from Jacome.

Meanwhile, Jacome frequently recited his campaign theme of "great schools, government integrity and government transparency."

While Lambert used his opening statement to tout his track record as mayor, Jacome took the opportunity to call for an end to political patronage in Fall River.

"The patronage must end because it is the chief reason why our schools are in trouble. The secrecy must stop," Jacome said. "(B.M.C.) Durfee (High School), Kuss and Henry Lord (middle schools) are all part of the Lambert legacy. We must begin to hold our government accountable."

When asked to choose one initiative both candidates would bring forth during the next two years, Lambert focused on giving students an opportunity to create their own businesses in Fall River, while Jacome called for the implementation of a management accountability program.

Saying the recent announcement that Meditech will be moving to Fall River and bring 600 new jobs with it was just the tip of the iceberg, Lambert called his Young Entrepreneurs Program a vital initiative he plans to follow through on if elected next month.

"We have to keep the young people here in our city," Lambert explained.

Jacome, however, said ideas like the Young Entrepreneurs Program are great, but without accountability in municipal government the ideas will never become reality.

"Unless we have an environment conducive to idea blossoming, we will fail," Jacome claimed.

He said the Management Accountability Program already being used in Providence, Baltimore and at the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office will "revolutionize the way municipal government works."

While answering a question regarding the siting of an LNG terminal in Fall River, Lambert again pointed to his track record of "fighting for Fall River."

"LNG is not a bad thing. But there are safer places to put it than in working-class communities. There is no price they can put on our lives," Lambert said. "I am proud to be part of this fight because we know it’s not in our best interest, and I vow it will not happen here."

Jacome also said he would stop at nothing to keep LNG out of Fall River, but said he feels as though Fall River has spent too much time on the defensive during its fight against the project.

"I will do one better. The bullseye will be removed within 60 days from the day I take office, because I will immediately enact eminent domain," Jacome said. "We can’t wait. We can take over that land right now for a fraction of the cost it takes to reconstruct Government Center."

Although their time was short, both men also attempted to focus in on educational issues.

Jacome, who recently called for the construction of a second high school to reduce overcrowding at Durfee, said he will never reduce educational spending if elected.

"Our educational system is the future of this city," Jacome said.

Lambert said the four new schools the city plans to build in the coming years will not only make for a better educational environment, but will also open up opportunities for adults to go back to school to get their general educational development diplomas.

"The building of new schools makes them neighborhood centers," Lambert explained. "The state hasn’t stepped forward with enough basic adult education funding. That’s why I’ve committed $50,000 to this and am asking the business community to match it."

During his closing statement, Lambert asked the crowd not only to remember his past achievements but also to look to his future goals.

"This administration will build four new schools, fund adult basic education, continue with downtown development and work to repair our roads," Lambert said. "We need change. But we need change with specific plans."

Jacome used his final moments to explain that he is the "citizen politician."

"Not all experience is good experience. It’s very good to rotate leaders," Jacome said. "Change is not a buzzword."

The final mayoral debate will occur Oct. 13 at a school to be announced. The debate will focus solely on the mayor’s race, allowing the candidates more opportunity to address the issues facing Fall River.

E-mail Gregg M. Miliote at

gmiliote@heraldnews.com.


©The Herald News 2006