BRISTOL — A forum of contenders for town and school district offices sponsored by the Minot-Sleeper Library did not distinguish between the candidates as much as letting them know about voters’ concerns.
Many of the openings this year are uncontested, and in some of the races where there is a contest, only one candidate participated in the “Meet the Candidates” event that took place at the Old Town Hall on March 2.
Both candidates for the three-year seat on the Bristol of Selectmen were present. Steven Coffill and former selectman Donald Milbrand are vying for the seat being vacated by the current chair, Shaun Lagueux. Two of the three school board candidates from New Hampton took part (former member Fran Wendelboe and incumbent Nathan Saler), but the other challenger, Michael Gilbert, did not attend. In the other contested races for school board, current chair Melissa Suckling of Danbury was there, but her challenger, Anna Hollinger, was not; and incumbent Tom Edwards of Hebron was there, but his challenger, Jennifer Larochelle, was not. Also taking part was William Jolly, the sole candidate from Groton.
Even though they are not facing competition for their seats, the three library trustees (Nancy Dowey, Suzanne Neiman, and Karen Boyd) took part, along with Edward Kenney, running for a two-year seat on the Bristol Budget Committee; town and school district moderator Edward “Ned” Gordon; trustee of trust funds Elizabeth Seeler; and cemetery trustee Richard Laflamme.
Those attending the forum grilled the library trustees about confidentiality laws that — unless a child agrees to share their information — keep parents from learning what their children are reading. They also asked how the library chooses what reading material is purchased and the trustees’ opinions on drag queen story hours.
The trustees are not involved in the selection of reading material, leaving that to the trained staff, but they said the goal is to include a broad range of information.
Boyd said that, when the children’s librarian proposed a drag queen story hour a couple of years ago, “I was very skeptical. I’m not against it, but I don’t think that Bristol’s the right venue for it.” While the library has not sponsored such events, Boyd continued, “I like to keep an open mind and be inclusive of all people and users of the library. Anything that I feel can bring different points of view to our patrons I’m in favor of.”
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