Here is a complete blip.tv video of the 10/14/09 Candidate Forum sponsored by the Ward 3 Neighborhood Association. First the candidates for the two At-Large School Committee seats spoke (0:00:00-0:52:44), followed by the candidates for the two At-Large City Council seats (0:52:45-1:50:36). This video is 1 hour 51 minutes long and was recorded by Lachlan Ziegler.
See also:
Gazette: “Northampton school board candidates address voters” (10/17/09)
The four candidates competing for two at-large seats on the School Committee share some positions: They all oppose closing an elementary school, and all agree that discussions about how to pare the school budget should begin early in the year, so parents can have a say.
One candidate, Michael B. Flynn, already has School Committee experience, representing Ward 7 before seeking election to one of the at-large seats. Blue Marie Duval, of 38 Sandy Hill Road, said she would launch an interactive blog as a way to stay in touch with residents. Robert A. Schroeder said his experience as a part-time manager would inform his service on the board. James J. Young said he would look for new revenue streams for city schools.
Gazette: “Northampton at-large council candidates spar” (10/15/09)
In a forum for at-large council candidates Wednesday, Kathleen E. Silva staked out territory that sets her apart from the other two candidates: She thinks classrooms with 36 to 38 students are not too large and she was opposed to this year’s Proposition 2½ override, which voters passed in June.
Silva is running against David J. Narkewicz, currently the Ward 4 councilor and Jesse M. Adams, a city lawyer, for two at-large council seats.
Northampton Media: “At-Large Candidates Forum” (10/15/09)
Silva noted that she would prioritize the institution of term limits and a zero-based budgeting policy. “It will be important in the coming years to know where every dollar is spent.”