Lack of debate location stymies Lynn’s Coppola

LYNN – Ward 7 City Council candidate Harry Coppola is frustrated.After several failed attempts to secure a gathering place for a debate between himself and incumbent councilor Richard Ford on Oct. 30, Coppola said he is back to the drawing board since the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) denied his request to hold the debate on its premises.?This is ridiculous,” he said. “I?m working on alternative spots, but I?m starting to get upset.”Coppola, a former president of the AOH, said he was told the organization did not want to have “two brothers knocking each other” at the hall.?I don?t what these people are nervous about,” he said. “They asked me why I wanted to have the debate at the AOH because Ford reportedly said he isn?t going to show up, and I said, ?It doesn?t matter if he shows up – people are calling me everyday because they want a debate.?”Ford previously said he has no desire to debate Coppola and plans to avoid his opponent altogether.?I?ve been waiting to send Ford a letter asking him to attend the debate, but I can?t get a place to hold it in,” he said. “No one wants to get involved in politics apparently.”Coppola said he is currently searching for another hall to hold the debate in the city, since the fall election is roughly two weeks away on Nov. 6.?If I can?t find a place, I have another idea of where to hold it,” he said, declining to name the place.Ward 1 City Councilor Wayne Lozzi also said he would like to debate his opponent, Arthur Fiste, who previously said he isn?t interested in a one-on-one forum.