APRIL FOOLS

April 3, 2012: The mark of a good April Fools prank is when it is very believable. The mark of a great one is when calls are still coming in four days later. But alas, there will not be a Presidential Debate at Homestead Gardens.

Plans were finalized yesterday by the Bipartisan Committee on Presidential Elections as to the locations and scheduling of the four pre-election debates. President Obama and yet-to-be-decided Republican nominee will meet face-to-face in Colorado, New York, Florida, and Maryland.

Two of these debates will be held at state university auditoriums in Denver and Miami, as is customary with most presidential elections. To put focus on local business, the Committee has decided to hold the other two debates on location at small businesses in Utica, New York and Davidsonville, Maryland to bring awareness to the importance of this election as to economic recovery policies.

On October 3, candidates will meet at the warehouse facility of Thompson and Phillips Manufacturing in Utica, New York. Founded in 1907, T & P Manufacturing provides wholesale contractor supplies and equipment to the manufacturing sector. Like most small businesses in the past five years, they were initially hit hard by the economic recession of 2008. Despite the fact that they are headquartered in a historically depressed region, Thompson and Phillips Manufacturing experienced double-digit growth in the past year.

And on October 15, the debate series continues in Davidsonville, Maryland, with presidential candidates meeting just twenty-five miles from the White House, at Homestead Gardens. Founded in 1973, Homestead Gardens is one of the nation’s largest independent garden centers, and a classic American success story. As a retailer, grower, and landscaper, Homestead Gardens has pushed back against economic pressures by improving efficiencies and pacing industry trends.

“The decision to alter the traditional structure and locations of the presidential debates was considered very carefully,” said Tom Gunderson, Logistics Director for the Bipartisan Committee on Presidential Elections. “But ultimately, we decided that the economy was at the forefront of the electorate’s concerns and we could not ignore that. In choosing locations, we selected two typical, American businesses that have faced the fiscal challenges of the past four years and have successfully overcome them. That is a message that resonates with Americans, regardless of party.”

The ticketing process is strictly regimented in accordance with attendance policy by the Bipartisan Committee on Presidential Elections. Individuals interested in attending scheduled debates, or for those seeking more detailed information, should visit the Web site link provided in this release. In the likely event that the attendance applications exceeds the number of seats available, tickets will be assigned based on a random lottery system seven (7) days prior to the event. Attendees will be notified as to their status either by email or phone call, depending on the information provided on the Web form.

Be prepared to present government-issued identification during the admission process.

To submit your name and for more information, please click here.