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Candidates present qualifications at Democratic forum

Date: 8/29/2012

By G. Michael Dobbs

news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — Although a candidate debate on Aug. 22 featured people participating in two contested races, there were little fireworks.

About 70 people gathered at Central High School for a candidate night for the three Democratic candidates for Governor's Council and the four Democrats for Hampden County Clerk of Courts. The event was sponsored by a collation of Democratic city committees.

The format allowed for only an opening and closing statement and three questions all to be answered by the candidates. There was no rebuttal or interaction between the candidates.

Moderator Sy Becker of 22News explained the format of the evening and the responsibilities of the two positions. The Governor's Council affirms the appointments of judges and other court personnel, while the Clerk of Courts schedules cases, runs the jury and stores records and evidence.

The forum opened with the candidates for Governor's Council — former Springfield Mayor Michael Albano, Chicopee City Councilor Gerry Roy and Attorney and Westfield School Committee Vice Chair Kevin Sullivan — giving opening statements.

Throughout the questioning, several themes arose: Roy characterized himself as a political outsider who could bring independence to the position; Albano emphasized his political experience; and Sullivan explained how his legal experience would be essential to the job.

Surprisingly, neither Roy nor Sullivan alluded to the controversial nature of Albano's tenure as Springfield's mayor, one that culminated with the state managing the city through the Finance Control Board.

Albano cited his 32 years of public experience as a school committee member, city councilor and mayor. He also gave a quick recap of his political beliefs by saying he was in favor of marriage equality, a woman's right to chose, the ban on assault weapons and supported affirmative action.

Roy explained he was a real estate broker and small businessman who grew up in Chicopee. His father was disabled when Roy was a child and he said he understood both family values and hard work. He added he was the only independent among the candidates.

Sullivan, an attorney for more than 20 years and a Westfield native, said that because he practices law he would understand which candidates would make better judges. He also said he would be an advocate for Western Massachusetts.

The first question was how each candidate, if elected, would make the Governor's Council more efficient. Roy said he wasn't aware of an efficiency issue, but rather the number of attorneys on the council was a conflict of interest when selecting judges.

Sullivan said that members of the council need to understand how courts work and he would like to take the politics out of the process.

Albano said the Open Meeting Law does not apply to the council's meetings and he would make sure they would be. He would also change the meeting time — noon on Wednesdays in Boston — and would bring some of the meetings to Western Massachusetts at a time the public could attend.

When asked about their top priority, Sullivan said "protecting the turf" of Western Massachusetts and making sure positions in the courts here are filled by qualified local people.

Albano said he would embrace the Democratic Party values and traditions and seek judges who are not going "to go backward" on issues such as marriage equality.

Roy disagreed with Albano's approach and said the Commonwealth needs judges who "can look at both sides [of an issue] — look at the whole package."

The final question asked the candidates how their professional lives would affect their role on the council.

Albano recapped his accomplishments as mayor and said that he would "stand for working families."

Roy said that after being in real estate for the last 15 years he has become a "good judge of character."

"This is about character. This is about integrity," Roy said of the position.

Sullivan said that he would operate as a councilor the same way he has run his law practice "with integrity and accountability."

During their closing statements, Sullivan said that campaigning through the 96 cities and towns in the district has been both "heartwarming and eye-opening." Roy said that he was the only candidate "who doesn't owe [political favors] to anyone.

Albano praised his two opponents and said that if he doesn't win, he would support the victor.

The winner of the Democratic Primary will face winner of the Republican Primary in the final election.

During the Clerk of Courts race, the answers to questions also raised themes among the four candidates, foremost being whether or not being an attorney is a necessary requirement for the job.

For Laura Gentile, who is already the Assistant Clerk of Courts, and John DaCruz being an attorney and having worked in the courts was a major part of their answers.

"You have to know how the court system works to make it better," DaCruz said.

Gentile cited her 16 years in the Clerk of Courts office.

Linda Stec DiSanti, who had the largest cheering section in the audience, is not an attorney but said she has the business and legal management experience needed by the office.

Springfield City Councilor Thomas Ashe said his work in the corrections system and as an elected official has prepared him for the role.

When asked what specific improvements they would bring to the office, Gentile said she would institute video conferencing, which would save the office time and money, establish a central system of preserving evidence and start a website.

DiSanti said she would cross train the staff so everyone could work on both criminal and civil cases. She noted that any technical innovations would have to be approved by officials in Boston.

DaCruz would bring in electronic filing and bring back monthly meetings between the personnel of his office and others who work in the court system. He would also advocate for a gun court to expedite cases involving firearms.

Ashe said he would seek advanced technology for the office.

When asked about what knowledge and experience they have that would suit them for the position, DiSanti said her experience in law, business and interpersonal communication qualify her.

DaCruz, a former assistant district attorney, said the job requires a "skill set that is pretty varied" that includes, in his case, being an attorney, having management background and six years as a member of the Ludlow Board of Selectman.

Ashe said the job "calls for a strong manager," and his 18 years working in corrections "gives me a keen understanding of the courts."

Gentile said she already has 16 years experience doing the job.

"I do everything right now," she said. She added that she showed that last two clerks "what to do when they came in."

The Clerks of Courts race will be determined by the outcome of the Sept. 6 primary.