Candidate's Vie for Kennedy's former Senate Seat in Athol on Thursday, October 27

Candidate's Vie for Kennedy's former Senate Seat in Athol on Thursday

Taking a page from the Ted Kennedy campaign playbook, local Democrats expect lively discussion on rural issues and issues facing small communities in the region such as the higher than average unemployment in the area and the need for outside investment at Thursday’s U.S. Senate Democratic Candidates Forum at Ellinwood Country Club at 7 PM.  A public reception is scheduled for 6 PM.  Ted Kennedy, the US Senator from Massachusetts from 1962 until his death in August 2009,  made Ellinwood one of his campaign stops as he campaigned in the 1980s.

Senator Stan Rosenberg

Senator Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) commended the candidates for agreeing to share their views and ideas with the people of Central and Western Massachusetts through this debate. The event will be moderated by political strategist Tony Cignoli of Springfield who will draw questions from those in attendance.  “I urge people to turn out to hear them and to ask questions that will help us understand how they plan to help our local economy and communities,” Rosenberg stated.

The format for the evening will begin with opening statements from each candidate. The moderator will then follow with questions in a round robin format, allowing for one minute responses from each candidate.  Thirty second rebuttals will be allowed if one candidate mentions another by name in a response. Candidates will be given the opportunity to deliver two minute closing statements.

"One Democrat will be chosen in the coming months to run against Scott Brown in the fall,” Allen Young, the chair of the Royalston Democratic Town Committee said.  “It's not often that candidates for this very important post come to Athol, so this is a great opportunity for us to see the people who want to replace Brown.”

“As a likely delegate representing Royalston, I am uncommitted and this forum will help me decide," Young continued.  "It can also help every voter decide. I hope there will be a big turnout with lots of good questions. We need a U.S. Senator who will do what's right for America and what's right for Massachusetts."

Jeffrey Kovach, the Democratic Town Committee chair from Templeton concurred. "This region of the commonwealth is unique, and the challenges it faces are different from those of the rest of the commonwealth. To  hear our candidates speak to those issues that impact us the greatest, such as the economy and green energy, is a wonderful opportunity for all involved. It is refreshing to know that those candidates who took the time to attend this forum really do care about this region of Massachusetts."

Thursday’s forum is sponsored by the North Quabbin Democratic Coalition and the Democratic Town Committees of Athol, Barre, Buckland, Greenfield, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Royalston, Templeton and Wendell.

“Hopefully we will have a spectacular turnout Thursday night," William Caldwell of the Athol Democratic Town Committee commented. “This an important race and will speak a lot about the candidates and the Democratic platform."  

Nic Guerra, the Orange Democratic Town Committee chair added, "I am looking forward to this historic event on Thursday. This is the first step to improving our communities and education.” 

For further information of the forum, contact the Orange Democratic Town Committee outreach coordinator, Genevieve Fraser at telephone # (978) 544-1872, or by email at FraserGenevieve@gmail.com, or Joseph Gochinsli at jgochinski@yahoo.com