Franklin in Focus presents Election 2018: Candidates and Issues - Oct 13

Franklin in Focus is presenting an informative event for Franklin voters on Saturday, October 13 at the Franklin Public Library from 9:15 to 11:30 AM – just prior to the start of the downtown Harvest Festival!

The event includes a primer about registering and voting. Invited speakers will comment on 2018 ballot questions.

* The keynote event at 9:15 will be a moderated debate between Representative Jeff Roy (D), and Patrick Casey (R), both vying for the seat representing Franklin and Medway (10th Norfolk District). Audience members may submit questions for either or both candidates at the start of the morning.

* Town Clerk Theresa Burr will provide a primer on this year's ballot as well as information on registering to vote and absentee ballots.

* Several organizations have been invited to provide speakers to discuss this year's ballot questions.

Questions? Get in touch through the form at the bottom of the Franklin in Focus home page https://franklininfocus.org

Franklin in Focus presents Election 2018: Candidates and Issues - Oct 13

In the News: MA Attorney General candidates debate

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The two candidates running for Massachusetts attorney general tussled Wednesday over issues related to gun rights, drug addiction and immigration. 

Democratic incumbent Maura Healey faced off against Republican challenger James “Jay” McMahon in a half-hour televised debate hosted by WGBH. Each candidate is asking for the support of Massachusetts voters in the general election Nov. 6. 

McMahon, a lifelong resident of Cape Cod, won the Republican nomination last month after beating Dan Shores of Hingham in the primary election. Healey ran unopposed."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181003/massachusetts-ag-candidates-spar-over-guns-immigration

#election2018

Maura Healey - Official AG page  
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-of-attorney-general-maura-healey

Campaign page  http://www.maurahealey.com/

James "Jay" McMahon - campaign page   https://www.attorneyjaymcmahon.com/

------------

Information for Franklin residents can be found
http://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk

Early voting schedule for Franklin
http://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/early_voting_hours.pdf

The MA Information for Voters (large print edition can be found in PDF format)
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/IFV_2018_Large_Print.pdf
Additional information for MA voters can be found on the state page
http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele18/ballot_questions_18/message18.htm

Election Information for Nov 2018

In the News: Article 1 Ballot Question; first gubernatorial debate set for Oct 9

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Nora Watts wakes up at 4:50 a.m. on days she’s working. 

The 66-year-old gets up, dresses and goes to the gym because she wants to ensure she’s in-shape enough to perform her duties as a nurse at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. 

“I’m not a spring chicken anymore,” Watt said. “I want to make sure I stay strong and healthy.” 

The job has become more difficult and more dangerous in recent years, Watts said, in part because nurses – like herself – are being asked to care for more patients at a time than Watts believes is responsible."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180925/nurses-hospitals-split-on-ballot-measure-in-massachusetts

For an independent review of the Article 1 question and issues covering both sides  https://www.cirmass.org/the-2018-citizens-statement

an independent review of the Article 1 question and issues covering both sides

"The first gubernatorial debate between Gov. Charlie Baker and Democratic challenger Jay Gonzalez will take place in two weeks on the night of Oct. 9, with WBZ-TV host Jon Keller as moderator, according to campaign officials familiar with debate negotiations between the two candidates. 

The televised debate at 8 p.m. will be one of three debates this cycle, and represents a potential turning point for Gonzalez, who continues to trail Baker in the polls and fundraising while also suffering from low name recognition. 

Days after the primary, Baker’s campaign announced that he had agreed to three televised debates against his general election opponent. Gonzalez had been pushing for more debates, and Baker received some criticism for turning down invitations to debate in western Massachusetts."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180925/first-governor-debate-planned-for-oct-9

In the News: changes in personnel at Police Dept; MA Governor campaigns to include 3 debates

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Four fresh faces have joined the ranks at the Franklin Police Department, while it said goodbye to four others. 

During Wednesday’s Town Council meeting, the newest additions to Franklin’s finest were sworn in. Officers Connor Crosman, Tyler Peabody, Andressa Rosa and Amanda Ayer took on their new titles, while Detective Michael Kenney, and officers Robert Burchill, Paul Fiorio and Brian Chander said their goodbyes. 

The moves keep the department’s roster at 46 officers. 

Police Sgt. Brian Johnson said the new recruits look promising so far. Crosman has some experience with the Hopkinton Police Department and came with a high recommendation, Johnson said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180907/franklin-pd-hires-four-retires-four

Officers Connor Crosman, Tyler Peabody, Andressa Rosa
and Amanda Ayer getting sworn in by Town Clerk Teresa Burr

retiring Detective Michael Kenney, and officers Robert Burchill, Brian Chander and Paul Fiorio 

"Gov. Charlie Baker has agreed to three televised debates against Democrat Jay Gonzalez between now and the general election in November, according to a spokesman for the Republican’s campaign, who said the dates and times for those debates are still being negotiated. 

Gonzalez, who won the Democratic primary on Tuesday, had said earlier in the day that he had accepted invitations from five media outlets and consortiums looking to sponsor events and would be open to more. His campaign manager called Baker’s decision to participate in three “disappointing.” 

Baker spokesman Terry MacCormack said the governor had accepted invitations from WBZ-TV, WGBH, and a media consortium that includes the Boston Globe, WBUR, WCVB, UMass, and the ABC and CBS affiliates in Springfield. 

“The Baker-Polito campaign has accepted invitations for three debates and looks forward to productive conversations about Governor Baker’s strong record of bipartisan results, including 180,000 new jobs, historic funding for education and nation-leading reforms to curb the opioid epidemic,” MacCormack said in a statement."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180907/baker-agrees-to-three-debates

3 Governor debates to be scheduled

In the News: Franklinites play in King Richards Faire, Ballot Question 4 to be debated

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Every year, come September and October, Franklinites Jamie Dellorco and Frank Dixon take on double lives. 

Five days a week, Dixon is a purchasing agent at Boston Medical Center, and Dellorco is a professional actress based in New York. But on autumn weekends, they become their alter egos and exist somewhere in the medieval period. 

The two are seasoned members of the cast at King Richard’s Faire, a popular fall tradition that plays out on several wooded acres in Carver. 

“There, I’m Heyo, the court jester,” says Dixon, who has been living his medieval half-life for about 23 years – 21 of them as HRM King Richard’s chief fool."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161007/medieval-life-for-them-two-from-franklin-are-principals-at-king-richards-faire

"The first of two debates on key ballot questions is scheduled Thursday at Regis College, featuring lawmakers on both sides of Question 4, which asks voters to decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana. 

The debate on Oct. 13 is free and open to the public, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Upper Student Center Lounge at Regis. 

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, will speak in favor of passing Question 4, while state Sen. Jason Lewis, D-Winchester, will argue against passage of the question on the Nov. 8 ballot. 

Questions will be posed by attorney Carmenelisa Perez-Kudzma, Regis College's Legal Studies Program director, and Rick Holmes, opinion editor of the MetroWest Daily News. Kelley Tuthill, vice president of public relations and communications at Regis, will moderate the debate."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161007/regis-hosts-debate-thursday-on-question-4-legalizing-pot

10th Norfolk candidates state positions

I was unable to get a good internet connection to report live from Medway High School but took my notes by hand and have transcribed them to share here.

10th Norfolk District candidate debate

Republican candidate - Richard Eustis
Democratic candidate - Jeff Roy

Co-hosted by the Republican and Democratic Town Committees of Medway at the Medway High School

The format was for both candidates to have an opening and closing statement and in between state their positions on a set of five topics; (1) Education, (2) Economic Development, (3) Local funding, (4) Tax policy and (5) the Role of government.

There are distinct differences between the two candidates as shown in their statements on each topic.

Opening Statements
Roy - provided an overview on his public service record and how he will represent everyone in the District.

Eustis - opened with a challenge to Mr Roy’s statement that MA is doing it right and went on to list the litany of corruption associated with Beacon Hill and the Democratic Party. Referenced the Forbes study that listed MA as 47th among the states as a place to do business.

1 - Education
Eustis - cares about schools, understands the need for investment in the community, recognizes that stronger schools will make the community more attractive for businesses. Doesn’t support instate tuition for illegal immigrants because the state can’t afford it. Thinks the college tuition is too high and that with 50% of the recent graduates still looking for work says that is a problem that needs to be addressed.

Roy - every child deserves a good education, invited Mr Eustis to tour the Franklin schools with him to see how well they are doing spending less in all 11 categories tracked by the state and yet a high performing district. The good schools are why businesses come here. Tri-county and Norfolk provide area students alternatives. He does not favor the Governor’s proposal on instate tuition. Thinks that we should focus on the local issues.

2 - Economic Development
Roy - wants to help businesses get back to work, with good schools businesses want to locate here. he goes on to reference three companies in Franklin two of whom relocated there and the reasons were good work force, good school system and quality of life in the community. Referenced a study by Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) http://www.aimnet.org/ that touts the progress MA has made during this recent economy has been the envy of other states and regions. Can we do better? Yes. His strategic plan on economic development covers five points: 1 - money to consumers by reducing the sales tax to 5%, 2 - helping small businesses, 3 - help public higher education, 4 - reduce the cost of doing business here, and 5 - partner with the leaders in Franklin and Medway.

Eustis - I will continue to bash Beacon Hill because their performance is unacceptable. According to the Forbes report MA is 47th among the states as a place to do business. That tax rates and regulations have scared away ⅓ of the businesses who were based here in MA. RI and NH in particular have lured companies with tax breaks and incentives. MA is not competitive. As an example,the data security protection regulation implemented goes further than the FDC requires, why is that necessary? Need to follow the examples set by our neighboring states, need to enforce immigration laws.

3 - Local Funding
Eustis - wants every dollar that goes to Beacon Hill to come back, local government should make the choice, makes local government accountable, the the towns are running on increasingly tight budgets yet there is waste, fraud and abuse with the money that leaves here. Referenced EBT card abuses, the creation of 2,000 jobs in state government where the salaries exceed $100,000, the scandal in the probation department. He closed by reiterating that he would fight for every dollar to come back.

Roy - I am a fan of Massachusetts. In a rebuttal of the Forbes study referenced, many of the same CEO’s in the survey actually live in the places that are lower ranked, CA, NY and MA. Why is that? They’ll live in the lower ranked state but not do business there? Agrees, that local aid is important. Education, parks and green spaces, senior centers, all of these things are paid for with public funds, we are not funding Republican or Democratic facilities. Stated he is opposed to illegal activities, violators need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Attempted to link the Beacon Hill challenges to an attack on former Rep Vallee and asked Mr Eustis why if he was so interested in the party abuses didn’t he do something about it? Closed with he has the experience to get local aid for Medway and to spend it appropriately in the priority areas.

4 - Tax Policy
Roy - opens with ‘nobody likes to pay taxes’, taxes fund our government operations and our budgets should reflect our values. He reiterated his desire to roll back the sales tax to 5%. Wants to collect taxes on internet based sales. MA is losing $335 million in this arena. Not collecting this tax, creates a competitive disadvantage for those brick and mortar stores. He wants to ensure no unfunded mandates come from new legislation. He wants to look at tax haven abuses. MA is doing well as it has gone three years with no new taxes or fees. He would like to see an analysis on tax credits to see that they actually return what they are supposed to.

Eustis - Opens by objecting to Mr ROy’s linking of Vallee to Beacon Hill. you know I like Rep Vallee, “don’t do that Jeff.” He then questions state government, if the CEO’s don’t rate MA higher, how are we better off? We are taxed at the highest rate in the nation. We don’t have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. Stated Mr Roy opposes the tax free weekend and can’t understand why. All you need to do is drive down an exit or two to the Wrentham Outlets to see how much of an effect it has. Reiterates the need for MA to be competitive in the region, wants to explore a tax exemption for seniors, of the 21 communities who have declared their tax rates, all 21 have increased them. People need tax relief not an increase in taxes.

5 - Role of Government
Eustis - He stated that there are two roles for government, the first is to provide the common services (public safety, education, and the safety net for those in need). If there was a second point I missed it. He did reference MA as having create the first constitution and how the US Constitution defines government. That ‘what we think (as candidates) doesn’t really matter’. His shortest statement as he surprised Mr Roy by ending without using all of his allotted time.

Roy - government is the name we give to that which we do together. Government doesn’t do everything, it does provide an opportunity. He told a story of meeting a mother of an FHS student who as a sophomore was struggling with school until he took advantage of the new Arts Academy program at FHS. Now as a junior he is excited about school and looking at where to go to college. We need to create these educational opportunities. Help those in their later years. Need to do the common things, build roads and bridges, greenspace, without being dependent for everything at Beacon Hill.

Closing Statements
Roy - gives series of thanks to those who organized this, those present, has respect for Mr Eustis, is overwhelmed by the support and endorsements he has received. Refers folks to read the letters available on his website. “Can we do better? Of course we can” We are modeling how to do it better. I will help spread the word. I will combine my experience and energy to make MA a good place to work and live. The question this election is who has the most commitment? who has the most relevant experience? who is the best qualified to represent Franklin and Medway? I have all three of these and I look for your vote on Nov 6th.

Eustis - gives series of thanks to those who organized this, those present. Reiterates that this election is about a choice. If you think MA is going in the right direction, then he is not your candidate. He didn’t talk about his local service but did serve in the Navy for four years. He did serve in other ways, his work as an attorney, never turned someone away for inability to pay, always provided service at a reduced rate and gets great satisfaction from doing so. In reference to Mr Roy’s endorsements, his mother had said; “Show me your friends and I will show you who you are.” Closed with a story of helping a lady shopping with her daughter at Market Basket, lady was challenged by shopping and trying to make ends meet with little money.We need to do better, we deserve more from our state government.

The next debate will be held on Tuesday, Oct 23 at the Horace Mann Middle School on Oak St in Franklin, MA. It will begin at 7:00 PM.

In the News: 4th Congressional debate

Kennedy said his public service record shows he can fight to give people, including small business owners, better opportunities. 

"The number one issue in this district is jobs and the economy. But it’s almost bigger than that. There are people who are not getting that access to opportunity. I’ve spent my entire life fighting for people in that position [while working] in the DA’s office," he said. 

The debate, moderated by WCVB anchor Ed Harding and political reporter Janet Wu, gave Bielat and Kennedy a chance to distinguish their platforms. 

To help the economy, Bielat said he favored tax cuts over government spending because "tax relief lets families and businesses make the best decisions. Families and businesses know best. The result is you get more efficient expenditure of capital than government spending." 

On the other hand, Kennedy said the government plays an important role in giving small businesses access to capital, strengthening education, "putting Americans to work" and "removing uncertainty in the market."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x264120504/Kennedy-Bielat-trade-jabs-in-4th-Congressional-District-debate#ixzz27kvJpQMe

The debate reported on here is scheduled to air on Sunday at 11 a.m on The Boston Channel, WCVB, TV 5

Questions for the 10th Norfolk Democratic Debate

Questions for the second round debate between the Democratic Candidates for the 10th Norfolk District. Jeff Roy and Peter Padula will face off in Medway on Tuesday at Medway High School at 7:30PM



Preparation/Campaign

What have you done or are planning to do to prepare for serving Medway in in the Legislature?

Based upon the flyer on the door, it seems like you are both walking the neighborhoods. What is one thing that going door to door does for your campaign?

How much will websites and other social media tools help your campaign?


Priorities/Issues

Two part Q: What do you see as Medway’s key issue at the State level and how do you plan to address it?

Do you  have any relationships with folks in or around the State House or in the Legislature that you can leverage when you are in office to help serve Medway? Please elaborate.

Medway and Franklin like most other MA communities are faced with Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) requirements that are underfunded. What is your position on what the Legislature can do to help?

What do you think about casinos as a source of state revenue?

There has been talk of the Legislature revising the Chap 70 funding formula. Franklin is a significant beneficiary of these funds. What would be your position on a revision of the formula?

What is your position on the State budget priorities? Should MA government focus on infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.) or education, or??

What is your position on taxes overall? How should the business of providing government services be funded?

What is your position on usage fees? Are there cases where it makes sense to use them in lieu of a more broadly based tax?

What is your position on the governance of utilities, their service rates and performance?

The Medway library, like the Franklin Library, faces an annual budget issue. The MA Library Board of Governors is the body that provides oversight to the library systems. What is your position on what the Legislature should or should not do to help?



Franklin resident submitted questions

If elected what changes would you propose to help commuters from Medway/Franklin afford to get into Boston for work?

What are your thoughts about the MA higher education costs. Is there anything you would propose to help more students afford MA State higher education?

Local officials often complain to voters that costly state mandates tie their hands and prevent them from making common-sense fiscal policies for the town. What will you do as state rep to remove burdensome state mandates and un-tie local officials' hands?

What will be your priorities if you are selected to serve in the state legislature?

How can we make health care in Massachusetts more affordable for the commonwealth, cities, towns, businesses and individuals?

How do you feel about what Gov Patrick has done so far about containing health care costs?

My question to all is This... I think all of you are educated well, are lawyers and have held local seats on a board but what Political experience so you have that I may not know about that you feel makes you qualified to be successful at this job?

What distinguishes you from the other candidates?

Specifically, how have you served the towns of Franklin and/or Medway?  (Public service, elected office?)

What makes you the best person to go to Beacon Hill to fight for funding for our district?

What would you do to get Massachusetts off dependence on oil?


If you would like to add a question you can send me an email or use the question form here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/08/do-you-have-question-to-ask-candidates.html

10th Norfolk Campaign - Stolle Singleton

The campaign signs are up and the primary coming up rapidly on Thursday, Sep 6. This is the last of a series to view the five campaign signs.

Stolle Singleton is one of three Republicans facing off in the primary.



For more on the Singleton campaign visit her web page  http://www.votesingleton.com/


Related posts:

The primary is on a Thursday, yes - not a Tuesday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/sep-6-primary-falls-on-thursday.html

The Republicans will face off in a debate on Tuesday, Aug 28th
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/08/10th-norfolk-republican-debate.html

10th Norfolk Campaign - Jeff Roy

The campaign signs are up and the primary coming up rapidly on Thursday, Sep 6. This is the fourth of a series to view the five campaign signs.

Jeff Roy is one of two Democrats facing off in the primary.




For more on the Roy campaign visit his web page  http://jeffreyroy.com/


Related posts:

The primary is on a Thursday, yes - not a Tuesday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/sep-6-primary-falls-on-thursday.html

The Democrats had their first debate on July 30. There is a follow up one scheduled for Medway on Aug 21.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/showed-just-how-closely-aligned-they.html

Do you have a question to ask the candidates?

Round two of the Democrat debate is coming up on Tuesday, Aug 21st. You did very well helping prepare the questions for the debate. If you listened to the debate, you would recognize that many of the questions were indeed asked and answered. If you have any questions remaining to ask, please use the form below to submit them. Alternatively, you can also send me an email.

I'll write up the questions you submit and I craft to post here before the debate. The questions are not as important as the answers. The answers are what should help the voters make a decision.

4th Norfolk Democrats debate - Round 2

The second debate between Peter Padula and Jeff Roy is scheduled for Medway on Aug 21st.

Democratic candidates for the 10th Norfolk District, Jeffrey Roy and Peter Padula, will hold a debate on Tuesday for August 21, 2012 at the Medway High School Auditorium located at 88 Summer Street, Medway. The debate will be from 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. and will be moderated by Mark Cerel. 

The debate will be broadcast on cable television and the public is welcome to attend to meet the candidates.

The first debate held on Monday, July 30 can be viewed online here
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewIndexSessionSL.aspx?ecm=634806085517785000&indexSessionSKU=n0i8L3XRGsloBIb3aj/POA%3D%3D&siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin/r3Z0jcDVCNw%3D%3D

10th Norfolk Campaign - Peter Padula

The campaign signs are up and the primary coming up rapidly on Thursday, Sep 6. This is the third of a series to view the five campaign signs.

Peter Padula is one of two Democrats facing off in the primary.




For more on the Padula campaign visit his web page  http://padulaforrep.com/


Related posts:

The primary is on a Thursday, yes - not a Tuesday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/sep-6-primary-falls-on-thursday.html

The Democrats had their first debate on July 30. There is a follow up one scheduled for Medway on Aug 21.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/showed-just-how-closely-aligned-they.html

10th Norfolk Campaign - John Jewell

The campaign signs are up and the primary coming up rapidly on Thursday, Sep 6. This is the second of a series to view the five campaign signs.

John Jewell is one of three Republicans facing off in the primary.



For more on the Jewell campaign visit his web page  http://www.johnjewell.org/



Related posts:

The primary is on a Thursday, yes - not a Tuesday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/sep-6-primary-falls-on-thursday.html

The Republicans will face off in a debate on Tuesday, Aug 28th
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/08/10th-norfolk-republican-debate.html

10th Norfolk Campaign - Rich Eustis

The campaign signs are up and the primary coming up rapidly on Thursday, Sep 6. This is the first of a series to view the five campaign signs.

Rich Eustis is one of three Republicans facing off in the primary.



For more on the Eustis campaign visit his web page  http://www.richeustis.com/


Related posts:

The primary is on a Thursday, yes - not a Tuesday
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/sep-6-primary-falls-on-thursday.html

The Republicans will face off in a debate on Tuesday, Aug 28th
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/08/10th-norfolk-republican-debate.html

10th Norfolk: Republican Debate

The three republican candidates will step to the debate on Tuesday, Aug 28th in the Town Council Chambers at 7:00 PM

Additional details can be found on Facebook

For additional information on each candidate, you can visit their websites:

Richard Eustis  http://www.facebook.com/RichEustisForStateRepresentative

John Jewell  http://www.johnjewell.org/

C Stolle Singleton   http://www.votesingleton.com/

"showed just how closely aligned they are on issues"

The Milford Daily News reports on the Democratic candidate debate:

With a little more than a month before the Sept. 6 primaries, Jeffrey Roy and Peter Padula, both of Franklin, have been campaigning since April, striving to define themselves to voters in the 10th Norfolk District, which consists of Franklin and parts of Medway. 

Standing before more than 50 people packed in Town Council chambers at the municipal center, both candidates pushed home the importance of securing local aid for Franklin. 

"I think the most important job for me is to maintain levels of local aid that Franklin has come to rely on to inform its budget," Roy, a Franklin Town Council member and attorney, said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1253624465/Democrats-meet-in-debate-for-Franklin-Medway-seat#ixzz22BvAiJm4

The debate was moved to the Council Chambers due to a power outage that affected the Horace Mann Middle School area as well as other parts of Franklin. The Council Chambers is not generally used for political events but an exception was made in this case to accommodate the event at the last minute.

The event was broadcast via Franklin TV. It is not yet ready for viewing on demand but will be soon. You can follow this link to select the event to view.
http://view.liveindexer.com/ViewCalendar.aspx?siteSKU=L7qhQ46xin%2fr3Z0jcDVCNw%3d%3d

Debate moved to Council Chambers - Municipal Bldg

Received an update on tonight's debate: 

In case you didn't hear, due to a power outage at HMMS, the debate has been moved to the Council Chambers at the Franklin Municipal Building. Still starts at 7:30 PM

What about the debate?

The Democratic candidates are having a debate on Monday evening, July 30. The Thomas Mercer Auditorium at Horace Mann Middle School will be the location for this event. It begins at 7:30 and should end by 9:00 PM.

More details here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/10th-norfolk-democratic-candidate.html

If you have a question you'd like to ask the candidates, you can add your question to the list here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/what-would-you-ask-candidate.html

The current list of questions can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/10th-norfolk-collected-questions-for.html

10th Norfolk: Collected questions for Democratic debate

My questions:

What have you done or are planning to do to prepare for serving Franklin in the Legislature?

Two part Q: What do you see as Franklin’s key issue at the State level and how do you plan to address it?

Do you have any relationships with folks in or around the State House or in the Legislature that you can leverage when you are in office to help serve Franklin? Please elaborate.

Based upon the flyer on the door, it seems like you are both walking the neighborhoods. What is one thing that going door to door does for your campaign?

How much will websites and other social media tools help your campaign?

Questions submitted by others in Franklin:

If elected what changes would you propose to help commuters from Franklin/Medway afford to get into Boston for work?

What are your thoughts about the MA higher education costs. Is there anything you would propose to help more students afford MA State higher education?

Local officials often complain to voters that costly state mandates tie their hands and prevent them from making common-sense fiscal policies for the town. What will you do as state rep to remove burdensome state mandates and un-tie local officials' hands?

What will be your priorities if you are selected to serve in the state legislature?

How can we make health care in Massachusetts more affordable for the commonwealth, cities, towns, businesses and individuals?

How do you feel about what Gov Patrick has done so far about containing health care costs?

My question to all is This... I think all of you are educated well, are lawyers and have held local seats on a board but what Policical experience so you have that I may not know about that you feel makes you qualified to be sucessful at this job?


Don't see a question topic here that you would like an answer to, add yours to the mix via email or the form here  http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/07/what-would-you-ask-candidate.html