Haverhill High School is the location of the League of Women Voters of Greater Haverhill candidates forum. (WHAV News photograph.)
WHAV to Broadcast Forum Live at 6 p.m.
Undecided voters have a chance tonight to learn more about candidates for Essex County sheriff, governor’s council and 15th Essex state representative.
The League of Women Voters of Greater Haverhill is hosting the forum to be broadcast live by 97.9 WHAV, beginning at 6 p.m., from Haverhill High School library.
Candidates for sheriff expected to participate are Lynn Democrat Kevin F. Coppinger and independents Mark E. Archer, of Bedford and formerly of Lynn, and Kevin Leach of Manchester-by-the-Sea. Incumbent Fifth District Governor’s Councilor Eileen R. Duff, a Gloucester Democrat, and West Newbury Republican Richard Baker, are also expected to appear and answer questions about their candidacies. In the 15th Essex state representative race, incumbent Methuen Rep. Linda Dean Campbell and Methuen independent Nicholas Torresi will also participate in the forum. The district covers a portion of Haverhill.
Republican sheriff’s candidate Anne M. Manning-Martin of Peabody has a schedule conflict and is not expected to attend.
Questions for all candidates will come from the audience and participating Haverhill High School students, said Carole Pelchat, organizer for the League of Women Voters of Greater Haverhill.
At the same time, the Valley Patriot newspaper is hosting a debate at North Andover High School. Candidates for governor’s council will debate between 5 and 6 p.m. and sheriff’s candidates will appear between 7:30 and 9 p.m., said Publisher Tom Duggan. Participants will shuttle between the two events.
Employees of the Essex Country Sheriff’s Department are provided with a benefit that is an absolute rip off to taxpayers. Employees have the option of naming a “child” as the beneficiary of their death benefits. They are not limited to naming their “spouse” as is the norm in employment situations. The death benefit includes payout of a financial stipend and healthcare coverage. As an example of what a rip off this is….a 25 year old child of a deceased ECSD employee could start collecting benefits and taxpayers are stuck paying those costs for potentially 50+ years!!
This needs to be stopped !!