Ashland to Hold Live Candidates' Forums, May 9 and 10

ASHLAND, Mass. - May 5, 2016 - PRLog -- Ashland residents will have an opportunity to meet and question the candidates for town office at moderated forums before town elections on May 17. The seventh annual Candidates' Forum will feature the Board of Selectmen (contested), Assessor (contested), and Housing Authority on Monday, May 9, and School Committee (contested), Board of Health (contested) and Planning Board on Tuesday, May 10.

Both forums start at 6:30 pm in the library's Community Room, 66 Front Street, Ashland, Mass. The forums will be streamed live and recorded by WACA-TV for viewers at home.

Roberta Soolman, chair of the Open Space Committee, will return as a moderator on May 9. Marcia Reni will serve as moderator on May 10. Reni served on the School Committee for nine years.

"Of all the votes we cast, I think the ones for our elected town boards probably have the most effect on our day to day lives," Reni said. "Our elected representatives here in Ashland work as volunteers to oversee so many things that impact our quality of life-from potholes to police, from emergency preparedness for our community to readiness for college for our children, from the planning of our neighborhoods to the planning of our open space."

Reni added, "That said, it can be hard for voters to know who will be most effective or whose viewpoints are most in tune with what we wish for our town. These forums are a great opportunity to listen to candidates, hear their thoughts and opinions, see how they respond to questions and get a sense as to how they may work with others. Come ready to ask questions or just come to listen and observe-but be sure to come!"

The forums are hosted by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library and the civic group, We Love Ashland. For more information, email candidatesforum@friendsoftheapl.com or call the library, 508-881-0134.