Staff reports
Tuesday, May 3, 2016 10:09 am
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LEBANON - The Lebanon Voice Meet the Candidates' Night on Monday brought all three selectmen candidates and two of four road commissioner hopefuls to the table for an informative hour and 15-minte discussion of the issues, including dozens of useful questions from audience members.
The evening started with a Pledge of Allegiance followed by brief instructions by moderator and The Lebanon Voice editor Harrison Thorp and a round of opening statements from road boss hopefuls Tom Boucher and Chris Gilpatrick.
Afterward, some half dozen questions from the audience were fielded by the two followed by brief summations of why they were the best choice for road commissioner.
Noticeably absent was present road commissioner Tom Torno.
Then it was time for selectmen candidates incumbent Ben Thompson, political newcomer Jennie McComish and former budget committee member and town offices employee Christine Tonro to speak to residents on behalf of their candidacy.
After opening statements, again the audience participated in an extended question and answer period during which they were able to question individual candidates or as a group to determine their individual qualities and strengths.
Some 70 or so attendees, the largest crowd ever for a Lebanon Voice Candidates' Night, came out on a rainy evening to learn about their candidates for public office.
"I was gratified and heartened by the overall incredible civility and graciousness of all the candidates and audience members," Thorp said.
"Those who came got a wonderful insight into the individual candidate's strengths and vision for Lebanon's future."