Published in the May 17, 2016 edition.
WAKEFIELD – Now that the July 19 special election for the open seat on the Board of Selectmen has been confirmed, producer David Watts Jr. has announced a live cablecast candidates debate for Wednesday, June 8 from 7.30 to 8.30 p.m.
The seat was left vacant by the election of now former Selectman Betsy Sheeran as Town Clerk in the April 26 town election and a petition drive by former Selectman Phyllis Hull has brought about the special election. The debate will be held in WCAT’s Studio A and will be open to any candidate who will be listed on the ballot. It will be carried live on WCAT’s government channel.
“Almost as soon as the special election was announced, four candidates took out papers,” said Watts, “It looks like this will become another interesting and vibrant local campaign which includes a new candidate who has never before run for local office and a current member of the School Committee.”
The final candidate roster for the debate will be known after the nomination period closes on May 31.
The press panel will include a reporter from the Wakefield Daily Item.
The added feature of the town election debates — questions submitted by Wakefield residents — will not be a feature of this debate.
“The participation in the resident question experiment was so narrow and so limited, that I could not see the value of repeating it,” commented Watts.
The public is invited to view the debates from WCAT’s front lobby and conference room.
The debates will be recablecast on WCAT’s government channel on a regular schedule through Monday, July 18.
