About 140 citizens attended a lively candidates’ night hosted last night by the Norwood and Walpole League of Women Voters at the junior high school. Attention was heavily focused on legislative candidates’ answers to pressing questions regarding welfare reform, the size of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, veterans’ preference laws, and the scope of county government.
State Representatives Debate Welfare and House Size
State Representative Dr. Joseph Bickford of Walpole, a Republican candidate challenging incumbents, criticized the state’s approach to public assistance. “The state believes welfare is just to help people get over the ‘rough road,'” Bickford said. “However, most people on welfare don’t think this way and do not help themselves,” suggesting that a greater emphasis on “compassion and love” was needed to help people help themselves.
Incumbent Representative Alan Danovitch (R-Norwood) countered by highlighting his legislative record, pointing out that he helped pass a bill establishing state-supported day-care centers for working mothers. “Mothers who are now on welfare because they have young children can now go to work without the costly expense of a babysitter every day,” Danovitch told the audience.
Candidates also debated whether to reduce the size of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from its present 240 members down to 160:
- William R. Butters, a Norwood Democratic candidate, disagreed with reducing the house, arguing that the number of representatives had nothing to do with legislative “efficiency.”
- Dr. Bickford stated he was not certain 160 was the exact right number, but favored any structural move that made government more responsible.
- Incumbent David C. Ahearn (D-Norwood) and Representative Danovitch both argued in favor of a smaller house, noting it would provide adequate staffing and researchers for each individual representative and senator.
Additionally, Rep. Ahearn defended his vote on the federal veterans’ preference system overhaul in Massachusetts. Under the revised system, disabled and regular veterans receive a 10-point and 5-point differential respectively on civil service exams rather than automatic placement at the top of the list, striking a balance between veteran preference and competitive hiring.
County Commissioners and Regional Officials Speak
Three of the six candidates vying for Norfolk County commissioner seats attended the session: incumbents James J. Collins (D-Milton), Thomas K. McManus (D-Norwood), and George B. McDonald (Democratic candidate from Quincy).
The commissioners agreed that county government plays a vital role and that its operational scope should be expanded. Commissioner Collins expressed a desire for the county to become more actively involved in regional police coordination, incinerator waste management, and veterans’ services.
Other regional figures participating included Herbert Connolly of Newton, Democratic candidate for the Governor’s Council, who stated he wanted to see the council take a more active role at the local level. Meanwhile, State Senator John M. Quinlan (R-Dover) and Edmund Dinis, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress, arrived late due to previously scheduled meetings but took the opportunity to speak informally and answer questions from voters after the formal presentations.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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