SENNETT - About 75 turned out Monday night for Freedom Baptist Church's Candidates' Night.

The Rev. Jason McGuire, the moderator, is the legislative assistant for a Christian lobbying group, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, headquartered in Spencerport.

This event was one of 30 forums held across the state by NYCF, whose purpose is to influence legislation in three areas: morals, family, and religious freedoms and encourage interaction between voters and candidates.

Four candidates and challengers for state Senate and Assembly participated in the town hall meeting: Republican Assemblyman Gary Finch, (123rd District), Springport and his Democratic opponent Barbara Abbott-King; Sen. Michael Nozzolio, (Republican, 54th District), Fayette and Republican challenger James DeStefano, (49th District).

Invitees unable to attend included, Democrat Paloma Capanna, (54th); Sen. David Valesky (Democrat, 49th Oneida); U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri (Democrat, 24th District) and Republican Richard Hanna (24th).

Pastor David Dunbar said the church has held similar meetings.

“We haven't done one for quite a while,” Dunbar said. “We're not trying to change people's opinions. I'm concerned that people are very uninformed. They go by personalities, but they don't have a clue what the real issues are.”

The audience submitted index cards with open-ended questions, but time only allowed four to be selected.

After introducing themselves, each candidate answered the same questions.

“What is the number one issue you would focus on in 2009?”

Nozzolio said it was the economy.

“New York state's response to the siege will depend on the legislators you elect.” he said. “New York didn't have a good track record before Wall Street. It continued spending and increased taxes. If the Senate is controlled by the Democratic Party, it will be controlled by senators from New York City.”

Abbott-King spoke about fuel costs.

“I know how it affects the bottom line when the cost of feed and fuel doubles,” she said. “The war that we are waging is an incredible cost. That is affecting us in a very personal way, the way money is returned in service, the way that service is disrupted. Tax formulation is the most serious thing to tackle first, and we can't have runaway spending. We have to stop borrowing money. It's had a real impact on family life.”

Finch said the state is in a crisis.

“We don't have enough money to fund the commitments we've already made in a budget of $122 billion,” he said. “After the election we are going back to make cuts. Those are issues that must be immediately done. Twenty percent of New York state revenue comes from people who work on Wall Street; that income is gone. We've got to find a way to make it up.”

DeStefano agreed with Finch.

“Whoever goes to Albany is going to have to roll their sleeves up and is going to have to make the cuts,” he said. “It's going to be a test of leadership,” he said. “It's not going to be easy to figure out.”

Another question dealt with same-sex marriage.

Finch said he was against it in keeping with his Roman Catholic upbringing and Jesuit education.

“It will be a hot topic because society is moving toward homosexual relationships,” Abbott-King said. “Two years ago, I said I was for same sex marriage because I believe in individual happiness. I don't believe in judging human beings for what they do behind closed doors as long as its not illegal.”

Nozzolio said he was opposed to same-sex marriage.

All the candidates expressed approval for home schooling and parental rights to access some services of public schools.

All also agreed that life begins at the moment of conception.

Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net