Republican mayoral candidate Sam Katz has asked Democratic opponent John Street to meet with him in at least 25 debates or public forums before the Nov. 2 election.

In a letter to Street, Katz listed 15 dates on which he has accepted invitations to appear, as well as "various" unspecified occasions when he will be available.

Katz, playing on a theme he has used before, suggested in his letter that Street was attempting to avoid appearing with him.

"I know that you were unavailable to appear with me at the Delaware Valley Transit Users annual meeting earlier this summer, and that last-minute scheduling changes prevented you from joining me at the annual meeting of the Logan Square Civic Association and the Delaware Valley Grant Makers Association," Katz said. "Apparently there were also scheduling conflicts that prevented you from joining me at the meetings of the Pennsylvania League of Cities and the board of directors of the Walnut Street Theater."

The events at which Katz asked Street to join him included three proposed debates and 12 joint forums sponsored by civic and community groups, some of which Street already has agreed to.

"If we are going to truly inform the voters, we should engage in a dialogue with them and with each other," said Katz.

Street spokeswoman Caroline Brobeil noted that the Katz letter was faxed to her office 40 minutes after it had been faxed to the Daily News. This, she said, raised a question as to whether Katz was more interested in joint appearances or in publicity.

In a letter addressed to Katz last night, Street said: "During the course of the primary campaign for mayor I appeared with my opponents in dozens of forums and debates across the city.

"In that same spirit I have already agreed to numerous forums and debates across the city for the fall campaign," Street's letter said.

". . .I look forward to meeting people in Center City as you have clearly indicated on your list, but also with the residents of every neighborhood of Philadelphia.