Stonington — With less than a week to go until Election Day, it appears there will be no more debates or forums featuring the four candidates for first selectman and selectmen.

The first and only debate, sponsored by The Day on Oct. 15, attracted a standing-room-only crowd at the Stonington Community Center.

A rumored debate to be held at the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center was canceled last Friday.

Republican first selectman candidate Rob Simmons said this week that he and his running mate, unaffiliated incumbent Selectmen Mike Spellman, plan to attend a forum sponsored by The Resident newspaper on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Pawcatuck VFW.

He said he and Spellman also will attend a Friday radio debate sponsored by WBLQ, which has extended invitations to all four candidates.

Crouse said Tuesday he did not plan to attend the Thursday debate, which he called “a Republican rally,” and said he was not aware of the radio debate.

But a letter from Alexis Ann, the publisher of The Resident who is an unaffiliated voters who lives in Groton, which was posted on Facebook on Monday, said the event would be a “friendly interview” for all the candidates.

“I’ve heard the rumors that it’s a Republican pep rally. This will only become true if only one side participates. Again the event is OPEN to ALL — it is NOT a debate,” she wrote in the letter that was posted on the Stonington Community Forum Facebook page.

Crouse said that Democratic Town Committee Chairman Scott Bates and his Republican counterpart, Dudley Wheeler, had agreed there would be one debate, the Oct. 15 event sponsored by The Day.

Crouse and Bates said that the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center and VFW debates were organized by former Republican Selectman Stephen Bessette, who runs the popular Stonington community forum Facebook page.

“We were never asked about the debates. We were told about the debates. We’d like to be asked,” Crouse said.

“George Crouse is busy meeting voters across the town and has held 10 public forums,” Bates said. “His number is in the book and anyone with a question can call him. George is focused on town business and getting things done. Other people are into Washington-style politics and positions.”

While Bates did not name him, Simmons served three terms in Congress representing the Second District.

The debate over the debates has resulted in numerous posts on the community forum website.

j.wojtas@theday.com

Twitter: @joewojtas