With an open seat for Harvard’s state representative, we have an excellent chance to see a competitive election process. It is my understanding that one of the candidates, Kurt Hayes, has suggested that his opponent, Jen Benson, join him in a series of Town Hall-style forums to discuss many of the central issues that our citizens are facing today. I believe that voters in the 37th District would very much appreciate the opportunity to attend such a series of Town Hall forums.
It is my understanding that the forums would be 90 minutes long with the candidates sitting behind a shared table. There would be a mutually agreed-upon moderator who would field questions from voters in attendance and reporters. The forum would end with a two-minute closing statement by each candidate. One forum would be held in each of the six towns in the 37th Middlesex District. To me, this seems like an excellent way for the voters to get to know the candidates.
Although I do not have firsthand knowledge, I have been informed that Jen Benson has declined to commit to participate in any of the forums. As an interested voter, I would encourage her to be part of this process and participate in the planned forums. The citizens of Harvard and surrounding towns need to know that whoever becomes our state representative can stand up to questioning about their positions on the issues.
Curtis W. Howes
Bolton Road
