LWVN held 10 Candidates’ Forums this election season, including two for Ward 5 Ward Councilor, both before and after the preliminary election. All were produced with NewTV, our long-time partner, recorded at NewTV, and made available through the NewTV and LWVN websites. These were for contested seats on the City Council only. Although there were also three contested School Committee races, one candidate in each race declined to participate. Because LWV does not hold ‘empty chair’ debates, we had to cancel the School Committee Candidate Forums.
The LWVN Online Voters Guide did include all candidates for City Council and School Committee, including those in uncontested races and those whose opponents chose not to participate. This was made available to the public approximately three weeks before the election. City Council candidates were asked four questions, and the School Committee members were asked five.
LWVN also created ‘Saturday Night at the Races,’ a ‘candidating’ type event for City Council candidates, which was co-sponsored with 7 other Newton organizations. The event was held at the War Memorial at City Hall, and involved groups of citizens conversing with the City Council candidates by ward. Every 15 minutes, voters were asked to move to a new table to meet a new set of candidates. This was quite well-received, both by the candidates and by the voters, who enjoyed an opportunity for face-to-face discussions on issues raised directly by the voters. Many especially appreciated being able to meet with candidates who did not have challengers, but who nevertheless made the effort to meet voters and discuss important topics. We expect to continue this event in the next election, but will work to address some issues raised (mainly the noise level and timing).
In an effort to learn more about a new incoming City Councilor, LWVN did also host Ward 8 Ward Council candidate Holly Ryan on our monthly NewTV program, ‘The League Presents’. Because Holly did not have a challenger, either on the ballot or as a write-in, we felt it was acceptable to meet with her individually and talk about some of the same issues discussed in our Candidates’ Forums.
LWVN thanks our Voter Service team of co-chairs Bonnie Carter, Sharyn Roberts and Sue Flicop, as well as Lucia Dolan, Lois Levin, Karen Manning, Lisa Mirabile, dozens of LWVN volunteers for the Candidates’ Forums and Saturday Night at the Races, the wonderful NewTV staff, and our co-sponors for Saturday Night at the Races: Green Newton, Mothers Out Front, 350 Mass for a Better Future, Newton Needham Regional Chamber, Newton Conservators, Newton Council on Aging!
Submitted by Sue Flicop