Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Candidates Nights planned in Templeton

Candidates Nights planned in Templeton 

Eryn Dion
News Staff Writer


TEMPLETON — A pair of Candidates Night events have been scheduled for today and tomorrow ahead of the May 5 Annual Town Election, giving Templeton voters a chance to get out and meet those running for top town positions.

The first event will be held Wednesday evening at the Baldwinville American Legion Hall.

Sponsored by Templeton Auto Parts, candidates’ presentations are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., and each candidate will be given five minutes to speak.

After their presentations, there will be an opportunity for the candidates to field questions from the audience. Both candidates and audience members will be required to keep things civil, as no character attacks will be allowed.


Invitations to both nights were sent to all individuals who returned their nomination papers to the Town Clerk’s Office and as of press time eight have confirmed that they will be appearing.

All three candidates vying for the two expired selectmen seats — incumbent Diane Haley Brooks, John Columbus and Bob Mitchell — will speak to voters about their plans to improve the town.

Two candidates running for Narragansett School Committee — A.J. Robinson and Catherine Vancelette — will also be present for the event, as well as John Brooks for the Board of Assessors, current Light and Water Commissioner Dana Blais, and Town Moderator candidate Mike Gary.

On Thursday night, Kamaloht owner Tom Royer will host his 13th Candidates Night at his function hall — featuring the same guest list as well as a special appearance by Town Administrator Bob Markel, who will give a presentation on the town’s current financial situation ahead of the override vote.

According to Mr. Royer, he has been hosting the debate with great success since the hall opened in 2001 in a bid to keep the voters of the town informed, offering them a chance to hear firsthand from the candidates themselves.

“It’s something we’ve always been pushing,” he said.

Mr. Royer’s event will also be tightly moderated and personal attacks will be shut down.

“We don’t allow the mud-slinging that sometimes happens at these debates and they respect that is how we do things,” Mr. Royer explained.

The event at Kamaloht will begin at 6:30 p.m. and light refreshments will be available both nights.

Polls will open at 11 a.m. on May 5.




11 comments:

  1. Tom and LuAnn Royer have always done a good job in giving candidates a chance to state why they feel they should be elected to the position they are running for, and what they feel they can contribute, to the betterment of the town. Jot down the questions you would like to ask, because it is important that you know who you are voting for and why they are running. Bev.

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  2. Last nite was a JOKE, just another ploy from the idiots to sway away from the REAL problems in town. WHY oh WHY would they start having a 2nd candidates nite when there has always been one with no issues. Just look at those involved with putting it on and all questions are answered

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  3. To Bev (or whoever has the password to this forum) I have suspected for quite a while that comments were being deleted if they did not agree with the moderator's view of things. Now I know for SURE. There was a comment posted earlier today that criticized one attendee and one who did not attend. That comment is now GONE. You are doing the same thing that you accuse the water and light department of doing. I for one AM DONE WITH THIS BLOG. THIS CENSORSHIP IS UNETHICAL AND YOU HAVE PUT ANOTHER NAIL IN YOUR OWN COFFIN AND EVERYTHING YOU STAND FOR
    GOOD-BYE

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  4. So sorry you feel that way, but I have had more people discusded with some of the things people blog, with out using their names. I have made it very clear more than once, keep it clean, or at least reasonably so, or be gone. I do not think that is too much to ask. People have stopped reading the blog because of this behavior, and I care about them , more than some chicken shit person who will not man up and use their name. This is how it will be. Bev.

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  5. TomJ just remember this blog is for Julie and Jeffy to criticize others not for others to call them out

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  6. Down hear on the lower forty we like the fact that Mr. Mitchell is a man that is close to the land and has some backbone. It would be good for the town if more honest farmers came out for these elected positions but we have left our roots behind. Good luck to all the candidates and especially those who have remembered their roots.

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    1. The job of being a selectman is not for those who want everyone to love them. There are times you have to make decisions that will not be popular with your followers. This is the truth. As a selectman your job is to be doing what is right for the town. if t that is not on your agenda, save your self some heartache and quit while you are ahead. Bev.

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  8. I did not know we are that friendly dumb enough for u to call me Jeffry but thanks for the laugh

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