Mayoral candidates cite their experience in town affairs at crowded debate

By JACK ENCARNACAO
The Patriot Ledger

WEYMOUTH – The six candidates for Weymouth mayor touted their resumes and emphasized their priorities Monday night in the first and likely only debate of the preliminary election season.

Michael Acciola, William Candler, John Cunningham, Colin McPherson, Sue Kay and Robert Montgomery Thomas fielded questions about everything from rebuilding Legion Field and alternative energy to contract negotiations and building a school on the former South Weymouth air base.

The candidates, who had their largest exposure to date before a packed town hall and a live television audience, highlighted their backgrounds.

Among the resume points stressed were experience as a town executive secretary, certified public accountant, restaurant manager and information systems manager.

McPherson, an accountant, said of the town budget: ``You can count on me to give it the scrutiny it deserves.''

Cunningham cited his history ``selling'' recommendations to town meeting in his time as secretary of the former appropriations committee under the town’s previous form of government.

``Every issue that is coming before us is solvable,'' Cunningham said. Some promised to offer more public access to the mayor.

Thomas promised to create an advisory cabinet of 56 residents from across town while Acciola promised an ``open door policy'' for residents to have their problems addressed. ``I want to try to fix it with you,'' Acciola said.

Kay promised to ``put the interests of Weymouth above my own'' and talked up her experience as Braintree’s executive secretary.

``The new mayor is not going to have a lot of time to make a smooth transition,'' she said.

Monday night’s event also included introductory speeches by nine of the 10 candidates running for five councilor-at-large seats.

``We have an opportunity this November to truly reshape town government,'' said James Parker, one of the at-large candidates.

The preliminary election is next Tuesday, Sept. 18. The general election is Nov. 6.

Jack Encarnacao may be reached at jencarnacao@ledger.com.