I was disappointed that only one Republican running for office in the city of Dunkirk appeared at the League of Women Voters’ “Meet the Candidate” presentation last month. I applaud mayoral candidate David Damico for participating, knowing that he would be the only Republican on the stage.

Damico’s fellow Republican candidates who declined invitations to participate may have missed a valuable opportunity. Although I am a registered Democrat, I have voted more than once for Republicans in state and local elections, based on how they compared to their opponents in League debates.

Incumbents can be judged by news coverage and their records in office, but the League’s “Meet the Candidate” events are one of the few opportunities for challengers to display their views, qualifications and personalities to the voting public.

I know little about the Republican challengers for Dunkirk Common Council except that some are my neighbors, have lived in Dunkirk most of their lives, and seem like nice folks and upright citizens. But to consider voting for them, I would like to know more.

Contrary to some perceptions, the League of Women Voters is a non-partisan group whose volunteer moderators I have always found to be respectful and fair to candidates of all political parties when presenting and timing audience questions and participant answers during debates.

I believe the League provides a valuable service by organizing “Meet the Candidate” events. I urge candidates of all parties, whenever possible, to view participation in these events as a way to introduce themselves to constituents and make their cases for why they should get their votes. Who knows? They might even pick up some votes across party lines.

Mary Rees is a Dunkirk resident, a registered Democrat, and a member of the League of Women Voters.