Press Release — For Immediate Release

Lea Ann Erickson , Director of Community Relations
Phone: (978) 630-9322
Fax: (978) 630-9561
Email: l_erickson@mwcc.mass.edu

 

Friday, Oct. 18, 2002 

 

LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES PARTICIPATE IN SPIRITED DEBATE AT MOUNT WACHUSETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 

(GARDNER)—Candidates for local legislative races exchanged several pointed arguments on everything from the “Big Dig,” to health care at a forum, Fri., Oct. 18. The Mount Wachusett Community College Faculty and Professional Staff Association sponsored the free forum featuring candidates in the first Worcester district, Second Worcester district, Third Worcester district and the Fifth Worcester district.

Republican challengers Lewis Evangilidis (First Worcester District), William Hunt (Second Worcester District) and Ryan Witkos (Fifth Worcester District) urged attendees to vote Republican in the upcoming November 5th election because of the 85 % majority in the state legislature. “The last thing Massachusetts needs is more borrow and spend,” said Hunt. Democratic incumbents David Bunker (First Worcester District), Brian Knuuttila (Second Worcester District), Emile Goguen (Third Worcester District) and Anne Gobi (Fifth Worcester District) defended their records saying they had tough economic conditions to contend with. “Massachusetts has experienced the most severe drop in revenue of any state in the country,” said Knuuttila.

Republicans also took the Democrats to task for not supporting the citizen-voted tax rollback to five percent. Bunker explained the decision was difficult. “No one likes taxes,” he explained. We did not want to go against the will of the voters, but our constituents asked us to freeze the rollback due to last year’s tough budget.”

Republicans also argued that more fiscal restraint was called for. Evangilidis said, “We had one bad economic year and all of the surpluses are gone.” Gobi responded that she thought it was, “disingenuous,” to blame the Democrats alone when Massachusetts has had Republican governors for the past 12 years.

MWCC AFSCME members attended the forum with signs reading, “A Deal is a Deal,” urging the candidates to support their pay raises vetoed by Governor Jane Swift. “We have to fund contracts that were bargained in good faith,” said Witkos. Goguen reminded them, “It is the representatives (that are currently in office) that are fighting for your raises.”

Candidates also addressed questions on the Big Dig and rising health care costs. They agreed on the need for an investigation for administration of the Big Dig project and better ways to provide more affordable healthcare.

The districts (and candidates) participating in the forum represent the following communities:

First Worcester District: Holden, Hubbardston, Oakham, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling (precinct 1) and Westminster.

Second Worcester District: Ashburnham, Ashby (Middlesex County), Gardner, Royalston, Winchendon

Third Worcester District: Fitchburg

Fifth Worcester District: Barre, Brookfield, Hardwick, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Petersham, Phillipston, Spencer (precincts 2&3), Templeton, Ware- precinct A (Hampshire County) and West Brookfield

For more information, contact Chris Coolidge at (978) 630-9285 or Jack Hughes at (978) 630-9340.

 
Pictured (l to r) are candidates who participated in the MWCC 2002 Candidates Forum: Second Worcester District Republican Challenger William Hunt, Fifth Worcester District Republican Challenger Ryan Witkos, Third Worcester District Democratic Incumbent Emile Goguen, Fifth Worcester District Democratic Incumbent Anne Gobi, First Worcester District Democratic Incumbent David Bunker, Second Worcester District Democratic Incumbent Brian Knuuttila and First Worcester District Republican Challenger Lewis Evangilidis.