LAWRENCE — It's the question that has been talked about quietly among campaigns, candidates and voters.
Where's Willie?
It was evident last night when mayoral candidate Daniel Cotnoir was asked at a debate about state Rep. William Lantigua's decision to skip all debates and candidates forums.
The crowd of about 100 erupted into applause, as did many of Lantigua's nine opponents, who criticized him for his repeated failure to join them on the stage and go toe-to-toe on the issues.
"The city is littered with his signs, and he shows no interest in doing anything," Cotnoir said at the debate sponsored by the Lawrence Teachers Union and the Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. "He has clearly shown he has no interest in participating in the process," Cotnoir said.
Candidate David Abdoo described Lantigua's no-shows as "disrespectful to the citizens."
"If you want to be mayor, you've got to answer to the public," Abdoo said.
Last night, Lantigua, who has said he would remain a state representative if elected mayor, was at the Statehouse where he voted in favor of a bill to allow the governor to appoint an interim U.S. senator to fill the seat vacated by the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy.
Mayoral candidate Pedro Payano questioned whether Lantigua is afraid to answer questions in public.
"This is America, not a Third World country," he said. "In America you talk to people ... . This is how it's handled."
In an interview earlier this week, Lantigua said he's debating people every day - just not at organized events. Lantigua, said he interacts with voters every time he steps away from his home or office.
"I'm not afraid. I can debate. And personally I think I'm good at it," Lantigua said. "But I'm debating people in the community every single day. All year long I am working and helping and advocating for people."
Lantigua is one of 10 candidates hoping to succeed Mayor Michael Sullivan as the next Lawrence mayor. But the Democrat said he doesn't feel his desire to win requires him to sit on a stage alongside his challengers. Organized events, including last night's candidate's forum at South Lawrence East School, are hyped and stacked by supporters of certain candidates, he said.
"Ninety percent of the people who go there have already made up their mind," Lantigua said.
Instead, Lantigua said he's "burning up shoe leather" and working at a "grass-roots" level with folks in the community.
His no-shows included a debate earlier this week sponsored by WCCM, WCEC, WUNI-DT Univision Boston, The Eagle-Tribune and Lawrence Community Works and a meeting Tuesday with The Eagle-Tribune editorial board. Top level editors have been meeting with Lawrence mayoral candidates before making official endorsements. Lantigua canceled his 2 p.m. meeting with the board, saying he had a prescheduled event at the Lawrence Senior Center.
But Lantigua was not at the center Tuesday afternoon and no event was scheduled, staffers and visitors there said.
Lantigua has also refused The Eagle-Tribune's requests for information on his stance on several city issues.
"Does he have the answers? There's no reason to be hiding," Payano said.
Lantigua acknowledged folks "are not so happy I'm not participating in organized debates."
"But others think I am doing the right thing," he said. "I am working to win. I am bringing my message directly to the people."
Frank McLaughlin, president of the Lawrence Teachers' Union, co-sponsor of last night's debate, was disappointed Lantigua didn't participate.
"I think he should have been here. He is a state representative and his voice needed to be heard during this debate," he said. But, he said, "He's the one that missed out, and the voters missed out on him."
