With some well know names like Jeff Turco, Ron Vecchia and Rich Boyajian running for the top-billing council president position, this may look like a regular election. A deeper look at the ballot however reveals many candidates for the offices further down the ballot are first time candidates.
From library trustee to councilor at large there are about a dozen candidates who are in a political race for their first time. Some are well known local people, some are only known in smaller groups in which they associated with prior to being in a town race.
The Winthrop Town Republican Committee looks forwards to the televised debate on WCAT, but saw a need for more people to meet more candidates in a less formal, more social setting. Although unsuccessful in getting additional co-sponsors, the committee decided to move forward with thier limited funds being spent on sponsorship to educate voters in a non-partisan event that will benefit our town.
So far 17 of the 21 candidates for public office have confirmed attendance. One candidate was unable to attend due to a prior commitment. The Winthrop Town Republican Committee awaits responses from the last three candidates.
The event is being held on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017 at 7 p.m. The format will be the first hour is the formal part of the program in which every candidate will have up to three minutes to introduce themselves and tell about their positions or reasons for running for office. Local cable will be there to record these introductions. After the introductions, the candidates will mingle in the hall talking with the voters at an individual level. This portion of the event is scheduled to 9 p.m. but if the voters and the candidates are still talking there is no hard end time. The committee thinks this format will give the voters the best opportunity to meet the new faces to the Winthrop political scene.
The event is open to all voters and citizens of Winthrop. Introductions will start promptly at 7 p.m. but the doors will be open to the public throughout the night. It is hoped that there is a good turnout for the introductions but even more important that the hall is filled with voters at 8 p.m. during the informal mingling part of the event.
The Winthrop Town Republican Committee will review whether the night is successful. If the night is a success, the committee hopes this will be the first of many in the future years. The committee hopes that success will also bring additional co-sponsors.
For more information, contact Marty O’Brien ([email protected]) WTRC member and event organizer (617) 593-8997.