A powerboat and a personal watercraft go in opposite directions on Great Sacandaga Lake in Mayfield last week.

Gary Antonucci, Republican candidate for mayor, at Gloversville's Four Corners on Nov. 11, 2024.

Gary Antonucci is ready to debate.

The Gloversville native denied allegations that he refused to debate his opponent, fellow Republican Matt Capano, for the upcoming primary election. Both men have no Democratic opponent, making the upcoming primary the de facto determinant in the general election in the fall.

Antonucci said he has always been willing to debate Capano, but had provisions about the terms of the debate. He said he was offered to debate initially on the WENT radio show, but refused since he wanted the debate to be public — he additionally said Capano’s camp never reached out to him regarding the matter.

“I wanted it in a public place with a neutral moderator, not being on the radio,” he said. “I just want it to be noticed that I never refused the debate because I was never notified about it. I was never asked about it from Capano’s party or from Capano himself.”

Antonucci additionally released a press release regarding the matter.

“When I am elected, one of the first things I will do is meet with all the Department Heads to learn what they feel they need to move Gloversville forward,” he said in the release. “I will also put together a group of knowledgeable Gloversville people to help review the problems facing our city. I have not been contacted by my opponent’s camp about holding a debate. I am open to debating my opponent in the future. My only requirements are that the debate must be held in a public place run by a neutral moderator.”

Capano said he is ready to debate Antonucci — anytime, anywhere.

“I’ll have a debate anytime, it’s good,” he said. “I have no idea what his problem is, but as mayor, you should be able to be talking to everybody and answering questions live or whatever, because if you become mayor, you have to be able to answer questions. He’s not willing to do that, so I don’t understand what his problem is, but whatever, that’s not me . . . I’m willing to debate anytime, anyplace.”

Both candidates said a tentative debate will be held at the Schine Building on Sunday, June 29 — after the June 24 primary date — around 6:30 or 7 p.m., according to Fulton County Area News, who is organizing and livestreaming the debate. WENT journalist Tom Roehl will moderate. The event will be online only, and the building will not be open for in-person attendance.

Both candidates said in the case they do not win the primary, they will petition to run as independents in order to participate in the general election this Novemeber.

There is overlap between the two candidates: they’re both Fulton County natives; they’re both part of the Gloversville business community; they both serve on the Water Board; they both believe downtown growth is important to the city’s future; neither has ever run for mayor before; and neither went to college.

Antonucci, 62, whose brother runs an eponymous wholesale produce and seafood company, has run Wood & Lock Mobile Locksmith for the last 20 years. He said that he has built up a following by responding quickly to customers. He graduated from Gloversville High in 1981.

Meanwhile, Capano, also 62, a 1981 Mayfield graduate, and his wife Tammy have co-owned New York Lunch in Gloversville for 25 years and opened their hardware store in 2019. He predominantly operates the hardware store and she runs the adjacent diner on Bleecker Street.

Antonucci said he and Capano have known each other for years, even playing baseball together as children. However, things went south once Capano announced his bid for mayor. Capano said the feud was “childish.”

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025.

Israeli Iron Dome air defense system fires to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13, 2025.

An explosion is seen during a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday.

Traces are seen over Jerusalem during a missile attack alert, Friday, June 13, 2025.

A firefighter stands on a crane at the scene of an explosion at a residence compound after Israeli attacks in Tehran, Friday, June 13, 2025.

Firefighters and people clean up the scene of an explosion at a residence compound after Israeli attacks in Tehran, Friday, June 13, 2025.

A projectile hits buildings in Tel Aviv, Israel, early Saturday, June 14, 2025.

The trace of a projectile is seen as it hits buildings in Tel Aviv, Israel, early Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Smoke billows after a projectile hit a building in Tel Aviv, Israel, early Saturday, June 14, 2025.

A projectile hits a building in Tel Aviv, Israel, early Saturday, June 14, 2025.

An explosion caused by a projectile strike illuminates the skyline in Tel Aviv, Israel, early Saturday, June 14, 2025.

The trace of a projectile is seen before hitting Tel Aviv, Israel, early Saturday, June 14, 2025.

In this photo released by the Iranian Red Crescent Society rescuers work at the scene of an explosion after an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025.

Paramedics evacuate a wounded woman from a building struck by a missile fired from Iran, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Friday, June 13, 2025.

Smoke is seen rising up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday.

DUBAI, United Arab........

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