League of Women Voters Hosts Candidates Night

The League of Women voters hosted Candidates Night on Thursday, April 26, in advance of the annual town election on May 5.

Candidates who participated included Moderator Incumbent Wendy Spector and challenger William Sandalls; unopposed Board of Selectmen candidate Ed Coburn; unopposed School Committee candidate Rosemary Tomaso; plus Planning Board Incumbent Pamela Fox.

Fox's challenger, George M. Gordon, was unable to be there due to his attendance at a Board of Appeals meeting. His daughter, Kaitlyn Gordon, read a statement in his place.

"He feels the Planning Board could use a fresh perspective and new ideas," Kaitlyn Gordon said. "He's not afraid of hard work and long hours."

In her statement to the audience, Fox said she has been on the Planning Board since 1997, and was one of the authors of the open space and recreation plan.

"When it comes to preserving the town's character, the Planning Board is on the front lines," she said.

Spector, who was on the School Committee for two terms, spoke about the rules she introduced as moderator at Town Meeting in 2010, and how presentation and comment time limits have kept the meeting more focused.

"I've introduced new ideas," she said, noting she also introduced pro and con microphones for commenters.

Sandalls, Spector's opponent, who served on the Finance Committee from 1983 to 1989, said he prefers to encourage open and balanced discussion at Town Meeting, while making sure comments stay on topic.

"And the vote needs to be handled so that there is no doubt as to the result of the vote," he said.

Coburn, though unopposed, also spoke at Candidates Night, saying communication is the most pressing issue facing Weston.

Tomaso, running for School Committee unopposed, is the PTO chair at . She said she is ready to work on the committee, looking at arguments on both sides of issues without an agenda.

The town election is this Saturday, May 5, at .