Don't forget Candidates night is tonight

4/23/2013 6:37:00 AM For 10th year, Kamaloht hosting Candidates Night ahead of election

Kerry O'Brien News Staff Writer TEMPLETON — For the 10th year, Kamaloht in East Templeton is hosting a Candidates Night ahead of the town election. “It all started when we saw the need in the town,” said Kamaloht owner Tom Royer. “The town was growing, new people were coming into town and they didn’t recognize the names on the ballot. We figured you can’t go to the polls blind, you might as well come and meet (candidates) and get a feeling of who they are ... you’ll see the road signs along the side of the road, but it doesn’t tell you about the person.” Although for the first time this year two other organizations held candidates nights, Mr. Royer said he is providing a forum for town office hopefuls and residents who may have not been able to attend the prior events or want more information. The event begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday. “I believe it’s a great opportunity for voters to get out and meet candidates,” he said. “It was good to see someone else take the initiative to host another candidates event because not all voters have the opportunity to come to every event. It gives them a couple different events.” Board of Selectmen candidates Paul Cosentino, Kenn Robinson and Gerald Skelton plan to be in attendance. Doug Morrison, the fourth member of the field, will not be on hand, but a statement he prepared will be read. Each candidate will be given five minutes to talk about their ideas for the town. Mr. Roy aims to keep the event positive and productive by providing the candidates with one question to base their speech around. Residents will also be asked to keep that focus. “I do not allow any mudslinging,” he said. “I want the candidates to present to the voters how they will best improve the town of Templeton and what they will do to make this a better place to live.” Others who were unable to attend a previously held candidates night will be on hand Thursday, including School Committee incumbent Lori Mattson and Board of Assessors candidate Bradley Lehtonen. Other candidates planning to attend include Light and Water Commission candidates Frank Moschetti and David Smart, assessors hopeful John Brooks, Community Preservation Committee candidate Alan Mayo, Board of Health hopefuls Elizabeth Crocker and Randy Lawrence and Town Moderator David Bergeron. Mr. Roy is also giving the spotlight to representatives from the Narragansett Regional School District to present their case for an $850,000 Proposition 2 1/2 budget override, which will appear on the election ballot. “Traditionally I do not invite representatives of ballot questions, but this year with the school budget being so important we decided to include send an invitation to (Narragansett Superintendent) Ruth Miller.” Attendees will have an opportunity to ask each candidate questions after they make their speeches, as well as following the event over complimentary refreshments. “I’m allowing social time if people want to ask the candidates questions at that point on a one-on-one personal level. We don’t limit the time,” said Mr. Royer. The town election will be held on April 30 at Narragansett Regional High School from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m..