VIDEOS: Candidates Night In Lynnfield

On Tuesday night, the Lynnfield Business Coalition held its annual candidates forum, giving town residents the chance to hear from individuals involved in several contested races this year.

The town election is April 9th this year, and there are contested races for selectman, school committee and assessor. Running unopposed for town moderator is Arthur Bourque, current chair of the Board of Selectmen, while Seavey Bowdoin is showing no sign of slowing down in his commitment to the Lynnfield Library, running for re-election to the board of directors at the age of 92.

"A great deal of work remains to be done," said Bowdoin on Tuesday night, recalling how he moved to Main Street in Lynnfield in 1956 and got involved at the library soon after. He referred to schools and public libraries as "the foundation stones of what we call American society" and noted that the town library now finds itself at a place where "if we buy a book, we have to get rid of a book."

"Institutions never achieve the status quo, they either skip back or they go ahead," added Bowdoin.

Moderator candidate Arthur Bourque recalled how his first brush with civic life in Lynnfield came when he helped run the microphones at town meeting when he was 15. "I understand what it takes to run a town meeting," he told the audience, adding that after 12 years on the board of selectmen, he felt it was time to move on and give somebody with some new ideas a chance. He also called town meeting one of the purest forms of democracy and a crucial part of the political process. "The moderator's job is to be a strong leader, maintain the order of the meeting, and understand how the meeting works," said Bourque.

In the assessor's race, Don Garrity cited his experience as an attorney with experience in real estate and probate matters. He has lived in Lynnfield for 17 years and has been involved with various town sports organizations and board, he told voters. stressing the importance of accurately assessing the town's new properties with significant growth on the horizon.

Also running for assessor is Harry LeCours, who was out of state because of a previous family commitment. A letter to the voters from Mr. LeCours was read on his behalf at the meeting, and the text of the letter is linked to in the background information below.

Candidates each responded to moderator questions as well as to those from the audience.

Meanwhile, in these attached videos, the selectmen candidates Dave Nelson and Tom Terranova can be seen discussing their priorities if elected. School Committee candidates Chris Barrett, Salvatore Cammarata and Jim Dillon are also shown in attached video clips.

Finally, the links below to previous Lynnfield Patch items will provide further information to help you get to know your candidates as the April 9th town election approaches.

Lynnfield 2012 Election Background Materials for the contested local races:

Selectmen Candidates:

(2/3/2012)

(12/7/2011)

(3/12/2012)

School Committee Candidates:

(2/12/12)

(3/21/12)

(3/21/2012)

Assessor Candidates:

Other: