Local, state candidates to meet constituents in nonpartisan environment Oct. 10

LACONIA — For the second time, organizers of a nonpartisan candidate forum hope the venue will offer citizens a chance to interact with those seeking political office in an unobstructed, respectful environment. 

The forum, which will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Belknap Mill, will be moderated by Sue Nastasi of the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire. 

“We’re very excited about this public event for local voters. At the conclusion of the forum, I hope people will feel inspired to create more welcoming, safe spaces where we can learn how to work together in finding real solutions that benefit all of us,” wrote Rev. Judith Wright, chair of the organizing committee, in a press release. 

It’s expected candidates for local and state political office, representing both parties, will attend the event and engage with voters in an intimate setting. Members of the audience will have an opportunity to submit written questions and are encouraged to arrive at the event shortly after doors open at 6 p.m. The forum will be recorded by Lakes Region Public Access.

The event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New Hampshire, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Laconia, Rotary Club of Laconia, Temple B’nai Israel, the Laconia Human Relations Committee and the Greater Laconia Ministerial Association.

Kay Anderson, who also sits on the organizing committee, said the event was broadly successful when it occurred two years ago, and she looks forward to offering a constructive environment for voters to interact with candidates again. 

“It worked and keeping it nonpartisan is the most important part of it to us,” Anderson said in an interview last week. 

Members of the public have been inquiring whether the group would hold another forum this year, and candidates have expressed interest in participating. Candidates for New Hampshire House of Representatives in Wards 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Laconia, state Senate District 2 and Executive Council District 1 are scheduled to appear.

Anderson said the forum gives voters an opportunity to discuss policy questions with candidates and for candidates to get to know constituents. 

“We see it as a win-win,” she said, pointing to the event being free to attend. “In another way, it’s a win for the community.”

Organizers encourage fostering a respectful dialogue between voters and candidates to avoid a devolution to personal attacks. 

“It can get lively, but not accusatory,” Anderson said. “I think that’s a good thing to model for the public.

“That’s an important part of our democracy, that exchange of ideas,” she said. “We’re excited for it.”

Anderson said the first iteration of the event was well-received and she’s hopefully this year’s will prove just as valuable. 

“It was one of the most positive things, for me, to witness,” she said.

Nastasi, a state board member for the League of Women Voters, was tapped to moderate the event.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Nastasi said. “Everything looks really good.”

“When someone is running for an office out of Concord, you’ll want to believe that they’ll show up to vote for particular bills,” she said. “It’s part of the plan.”

Nastasi said she hopes voters will capitalize on the opportunity to meet candidates and ask them questions in person.

“It’s nonpartisan and it really means a lot to have both Democrats and Republicans,” she said, noting voters will be able to ask questions on any topic they’d like to know a candidate’s position on.

“We expect audience participation — we just want to see what the candidates have to say, let the voters decide.”

Doug Lambert, vice chair of the Belknap County Republican Party, said he expects Republican candidates will participate and remembers the previous forum as a good event. 

“Our candidates are ready and willing, and looking forward to answering any questions that the public may have for them,” Lambert said. 

And Jason Sproul, chair of the Laconia Democrats, said citizens should take the opportunity to speak with candidates, and he hoped voters will come to understand that state Senators and executive councilors are in the best position to address their concerns.

“It’s very important for the citizens of Laconia to hear directly from the candidates who will be representing them in the county delegation and in Concord,” regarding topics including reproductive health, public education and affordable housing, Sproul said. 

A similar nonpartisan candidate forum will be held at Gilford Community Church at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

For more information about next week's forum, visit uulaconia.org.