Details have been announced for the upcoming live, televised debate for the 122nd Legislative district, which will be held Oct. 20.

The event, hosted by the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, is one of two scheduled between the candidates for the 122nd, and will take place from 8-9 p.m. at Penn's Peak.Constituents are invited to watch the debate in person, or live on Blue Ridge Cable TV13. A replay of the debate can also be seen at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 27 on Blue Ridge Cable.Incumbent State Rep. Doyle Heffley will participate in the debate along with his Democratic challenger, Neil Makhija, and Libertarian candidate Matthew Schutter."The CCEDC was formally asked to partner with BRC-13 to plan and organize a debate for the 122nd District. As a nonpartisan organization, we feel it is important to support this type of event in partnership with BRC-13 to serve as organizers for our state representative and candidates to have a platform in which they have the opportunity to inform and educate the community and local businesses in Carbon County," said Marlyn Kissner, executive vice president for the CCEDC.A panel of local media representatives will provide the questions. They include George Roberts, anchor for Blue Ridge Cable TV13, Times News Editor Marta Gouger, Hazleton Standard Speaker Editor Mark Katchur, and CCEDC board Vice President Patricia Handwerk.The debate is one of two that the candidates have agreed to attend.The other debate, which will not be televised, is a forum focused on the heroin/opioid overdose epidemic. STEP-Up Carbon County, a local group striving to combat the drug epidemic, is hosting the event from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Panther Valley High School.Makhija had asked for a series of five debates, while Heffley preferred a single, televised debate.Heffley said he is happy to talk about the issues, and that it is important that voters know where candidates stand.He said that by having a televised debate, it will offer the maximum opportunity for voters to participate."I think debates are an important part of the process. That's why I have always participated in them," Heffley said. "My opponent's attempt to create fake controversy around the issue of debates this year was absurd."Makhija said that voters in the district should be able to hear both candidates speak honestly, and condemned one-sided TV ads and negative mailers.He said that he believes voters would prefer a total of five debates - one for each school district in the 122nd - or at least an additional town hall regarding high property taxes in the district."Voters deserved to hear why under Rep. Heffley's tenure, we have seen a series of failed promises and worse conditions on the ground in Carbon County, and I'm honored to have the chance to show my lifelong friends and neighbors a new path to a brighter future for our community."Schutter said that he plans to present himself as the best option to protect the civil liberties of the residents of the 122nd."If you want the same old government in Harrisburg, waste your vote, and vote Republican or Democrat. But if you want no income tax, $2,500 more in your pocket, smaller government and more freedom, vote Libertarian!"Before you can vote, you need to be registered. Tuesday is the deadline. Call the Department of State's toll-free hotline at 877-868-3772 or visit VotesPA.com.