ANDOVER — Voters wanted to know what the candidates vying for three seats in the Legislature think about financial problems in Lawrence, the new immigration law in Arizona and casinos.
Ten candidates answered a variety of questions at the League of Women Voters of Andover/North Andover pre-primary candidates forum at Memorial Hall Library last night. The districts the candidates hope to represent cover parts of Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, Methuen, North Andover, Haverhill, Lawrence, Tewksbury and Dracut.
Moderator Jo-Ann Berry of the Acton area League of Women Voters read questions submitted by the audience.
Sal Tabit, a Republican candidate for state representative in the 17th Essex District, said Lawrence should go into bankruptcy because that will allow the city's finances to be restructured.
His opponent in the Sept. 14 primary, 28-year-old political consultant Paul Adams, said Lawrence needs a "strong receiver," and that bankruptcy will amount to a "massive payday" for lawyers. Tabit, who is a lawyer, said a receiver can't restructure union contracts or fix the situation in Lawrence.
As the only incumbent state legislator in the debate, Barry Finegold might as well have drawn a bull's eye on his forehead. Finegold, a veteran state representative, is one of three Democrats campaigning to succeed outgoing state Sen. Susan Tucker, D-Andover. Fellow Democrats Jack Wilson and Debbie Silberstein hope to beat Finegold in the primary.
Wilson called Finegold a "Beacon Hill insider," and Silberstein said Finegold "hasn't brought common sense to state government in 15 years."
Finegold ignored the criticism and instead listed his achievements, such as working to start the North Shore Clean Energy Consortium and helping individual people who he named. He also outlined an agenda that includes finishing the Interstate 93 interchange in Andover and the Northern Essex Community College expansion in Lawrence.
Wilson said his goals include pension reform, campaign finance reform, a repeal of the sales tax and a jobs bill that calls for tax incentives for businesses.
A voter asked the state Senate candidates if they would support an immigration law similar to the one passed in Arizona. Silberstein was the only candidate to directly answer. She said she opposes the Arizona law.
"All of us at some point came from a family of immigrants," she said.
Candidates were asked about their stance on casinos. Republican state representative candidate James Lyons Jr., who is in the running to represent the 18th Essex District, said they are "nothing more than a quick fix to increase revenues."
"We need to cut our spending," he said.
His opponent, Harvard Law student John Thorlin, said betting is fine, but gaming deals are being done "behind closed doors."
Tabit supports casinos. He said they will bring jobs to the state. He said it's a misnomer that casinos won't attract good jobs — he said bartending in a casino and being tipped $1 to $2 per beer and selling hundreds of beers in a night is a "good job."
Adams said increasing the gaming industry is a "bad deal for Massachusetts." It forces cities and towns to improve infrastructure, attracts crime and hasn't been much of a boon in other states, he said.
The Republicans repeatedly called for lower taxes.
"I do know the value of a dollar," said Republican state representative hopeful Patrick Rahilly, who said he grew up poor and living in subsidized housing.
The candidates were asked if they think municipal officials should have control over their employees' health care plans without having to negotiate changes with unions.
Silberstein and Wilson both said that should be a "last resort," and officials should collaborate with unions. Finegold said it's a good idea "in certain situations," while Rahilly and fellow Republican state Senate candidate Jamison Tomasek are in favor of giving municipal officials health care plan design power.
Frank Bonet, a Democratic state representative candidate in the 17th Essex District, didn't show up. His opponent, Patricia Commane, spoke at the end of the event. She said she works for the state, helping people with severe disabilities go to work.
"This is how good government can and should work," she said. "I want to make sure that we get the changes we need up on Beacon Hill."
Incumbent state Rep. Barbara L'Italien, D-Andover, represents the 18th Essex District, has no opponent in the primary and therefore didn't participate in the debate.
