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Date: 10/12/2022
LUDLOW – On Oct. 5, Ludlow Community TV hosted a debate between Aaron Saunders and Chip Harrington for the 7th Hampden District seat in the state’s House of Representatives.
Each candidate had two minutes for an opening statement followed by five questions from moderator and former Reminder Publishing Executive Editor G. Michael Dobbs and two questions from their opponent.
Harrington said, “One thing I see when I look at this district and I look at different parts of it, it is a very diverse district. We all have different needs here. We really need a state representative that understands this district.”
Harrington has been involved in the town of Ludlow for 32 years as a recreation commissioner, as head of the School Committee for 18 years, and as a former member on the Board of Selectmen as well.
He added, “I truly understand how boots on the ground matters in this district and you need to have a grasp on what is taking place. Our legislature recently passed a budget, and they did not include any tax cuts for the middle or lower class whatsoever. That is unfortunate because right now with the cost of everything, we need relief. I am an independent voice that understands how to get things done. I work will all parties and everyone involved, and I know how to bring the needs that we have to the State House.”
Saunders followed and said, “I’d offer that this election comes down to who is going to be the most effective on behalf of our communities as a representative. I offer 20 years of experience in the private and public sector. I was a former selectman in Ludlow, a former senior aide to [state] Sen. Gale Candaras, a small business owner and a senior vice president at Benchmark Strategies. It is not about the amount of time or title that you have but the accomplishments of what you do with that time.”
Saunders mentioned he helped reopen the Ludlow Reservoir for public use, negotiated the surrounding community agreement with MGM Springfield, and secured the river walk as part of Ludlow Mills.
The first question asked was about economic development pertaining to Ludlow Mills but also what the next big project for this district is.
Saunders said that there is a lot more that can be done at Ludlow Mills and Belchertown State School.
He also mentioned, “When I think about what is next, I think about east-west rail. The congress has secured $9 billion for his project. I think not only of transforming the transit line but a transform in the economic development line. When we get to work on east-west rail, it must get done with Western Massachusetts companies getting those contracts and Western Massachusetts workers getting those jobs. I don’t think we should let the initial speed of the trains get in the middle of a multi-billon dollar investment.”
Harrington mentioned how at Town Meeting that Riverside Drive was approved to become a public way which helps all the storefronts by the mills but there is still a long way to go.
He said, “It is also important that we continue to foster the businesses that are currently there. There is a tremendous amount of property there that we can continue working through. The project is well under way but is going to need a state representative that is passionate about the project like me.”
The next question was how each candidate would try to unify a vision for this district that has diverse communities with rural and suburban areas.
Harrington said, “One thing that ties us all together is we are Western and Central [Massachusetts]. One thing that is holding us back as a stronger commonwealth is the cost of housing. One thing that [COVID-19] taught us is that we can work from home and people from the eastern part of the state are trying to move here which is partially driving the cost of housing up. This is causing first time home buyers out of the district. As a state representative we need to incentivize first time home buyers to get into the market.”
Saunders said, “It is a team effort. One of the things you realize when you work in and around the State House is the differences we may have in places like Ludlow, Belchertown and Salem does not matter to the house. What you think need to think about as a leader is that no one can spot our differences. I think there is strength in that unity and how we can move the needle for our communities in this district.”
Dobbs asked each candidate what some specific concerns each candidate is hearing on their campaign in smaller communities.
Saunders said a concern is transitioning to solar energy to meet climate goals but in a way that does not include clear cutting the forests. He also mentioned how public transit is a big concern as they currently skip smaller communities.
Harrington said a concern he heard is that Eversource is looking to clear cut trees near their powerlines and want to move the lines back much further and that could impact the environment in a negative way.
The next question was if each candidate has looked at the agricultural needs of farmers in the district and what they can do for them.
Harrington said, “Meeting with several farmers, the issues they are struggling with right now is the cost of fertilizer, fuel and maintaining their farms. The Massachusetts Legislature had an opportunity to provide some relief for farmers and chose not to do so. We need to support farmers and as state representative I am going to scream as loud as I can on their behalf to get them everything they need.”
Saunders said, “One of the lessons we learned coming out of [COVID-19] is the importance of our local food systems and a renewed importance that our farms stay lively. Going to local farmer markets I get a sense of the strength of local agriculture.”
He added, “There was a place in Wendell that was showing me a new coop they built from a state grant they received. It struck me as a real-life impact that the legislature can do. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel we just need to figure out what works. I plan on finding those things that work and continue helping farmers.”
The final question from Dobbs was how each candidate would work with officials from the opposite party if elected.
Saunders said he is open for collaboration with anyone and will work with anyone who wants to be apart of the solution.
Harrington said that there needs to be more balance in the state government and that he does not care about political party.
He added that a good idea is a good idea without a party being attached to it and “what is good for the commonwealth is good for this district. I am an independent voice for everyone.”
During the Lincoln-Douglas portion of the debate, Harrington asked Saunders about a social media post from Sept. 18 titled “solar energy initiative vision” when a few weeks prior he hosted a fundraiser at an establishment that recently cleared 17 acres of wooded land to install solar panels even though Saunders is against deforestation.
Harrington saw this as hypocritical and said he thought Saunders cares more about putting money in his campaign account.
Saunders answered, “When we talk about industrial scale solar, we are talking hundreds of acres. We need to use solar as part of our solution. The assertion that it is hypocritical to have a campaign event where there is solar energy, I don’t see that landing with the folks who really care about climate change.”
Harrington stated that Saunders did not answer the question and then added that he agrees that solar energy is part of the future but there are more eco-friendly ways to do it.
Saunders’ question to Harrington was regarding if he is supporting candidate for governor Geoff Diehl, a fellow Republican, or if he would change stance on working with the next governor.
Harrington said, “I am open to working whoever is in the executive branch, Senate or who is in the House. That is what you do as a public official. You put the public politics aside and focus on the issues. Regardless of who the next governor is going to be I am certainly going to be looking forward to working with that person.”
Harrington’s final question asked why Saunders does not include on his social media or website that he is a lobbyist.
Saunders said, “I talk about the work I do all the time. Voters in this district are smart enough than to be scared away by a word. I am proud of the work I have done like bringing jobs and companies to Western [Massachusetts]. When it comes down to it and look at the relationships I built, that is going to allow me to hit the ground running on day one as state representative.”
Saunders mentioned that as a lobbyist he has worked with Girls Who Code which helps women get into STEM careers.
Harrington followed that with saying Saunders lobbied against a Senate bill that would have protected women and people in protected classes from sexual harassment and found it concerning.
Saunders’ final question brought up that on Harrington’s current campaign, he has mentioned the poor job that Gov. Charlie Baker and the Legislature has done preparing young people to go to trade schools.
Saunders added that the Ludlow woodshop class was ended on Harrington’s watch and yet to be brought back, even with a $40 million budget. He asked how voters can trust that he can do it in the legislature if he cannot do it on the School Committee.
Harrington said Saunders was misinformed that the class ended on his watch and added, “It speaks to your lack of understanding on how school committees and DESE [Department of Elementary and Secondary Education] work. The curriculum comes down from the state and the local school committees have little discretion when it comes to curriculum. I have talked about this issue when it comes to the committee, but this is something that needs to come from the state.”
During closing statements Saunders said, “At the end of the day, you the voters are going to make the decision on who is going to be the most effective on your behalf. Their best chance to deliver the jobs, the resources, the programs, and projects for our area of the state. I offer my experience and accomplishments on why I deserve your vote on election night.”
Harrington said, “I have been involved for 32 years and I have never gone away. I have run for office and have not been successful. I have never lost my passion or drive to be a public servant. That is why I am here again. It reminds me of the movie ‘Rudy’ of a young man who was passionate and did not give up. Anyone who knows me knows I have a tremendous amount of passion. We need to represent the people who support us and be a voice form them.”
The general election will take place on Nov. 8 and a video of this debate is posted online.