Successful Winthrop Republican Town Committee “Candidates Night”
On Tuesday October 24 the Winthrop community got a chance to evaluate their potential town representatives as the Winthrop Republican Town Committee (WRTC) hosted another Candidate’s Night. Every candidate for every town office was invited to participate in this nonpartisan event, and every participant displayed knowledge and commitment to community issues.
The format of the evening was all candidates had an opportunity to address the audience and present themselves and their platform. Next the School Committee and Town Council Candidates answered two questions presented to them from Moderator Cheryl Fiandaca the Chief Investigative Reporter for WBZ TV. The questions were:
School Committe Questions:
• The US Department of Education is proposing to redefine the meaning of sex to include “gender identity “ as part of the Title IX Law. This would have a transformative impact on Schools and the American Society.
How do you feel about this?
• Next Generation MCAS Tests 2023 shows Winthrop Schools performing about the same as the State average scores with 52% of the students meeting expectations and 31% of students not meeting expectations or only partially meeting expectations.
Are you satisfied with this performance? Do you have any comments or suggestions?
Town Council Questions
• The big topic in Town Council is whether a new single fire station is needed. What do you think? Agree, disagree, location?
• The Governor is proposing a new real estate tax of up to 2% on real estate sales over $1 million. This fee would be subject to LOCAL approval. Would you be in favor or against such a tax? (Boston Globe (updated) October 20, 2023, by Shirley Leung; Boston Herald October 19, 2023 by Chris Van Buskirk)
The WRTC presented this forum for every town election. The Committee’s motivation to present Candidates Night is their belief that an informed voting public results in better representation and a better community. Most candidates participated, and most candidates who didn’t attend expressed reasonable conflicts or health concerns preventing their participation. Residents can ask candidates directly.
Candidates Attending and Seat:
Jim Letterie – Town Council President
Todd Sacco – Councilor At Large
John Munson – Town Council Precinct #2
Kurt Millar – Town Council Precinct #2
Marc Chapdelaine – Town Council Precinct #2
Suzanne Swope – Town Council Precinct #4
Zachary Purinton – School Committee
Library Trustee – Anne Ferreira
Video of the Winthrop Candidates Night can be seen on WCAT or by going the the Winthrop Town Republican Committee’s Facebook site for other info o other viewing sites.