Selectmen candidates field questions

I'm not sure which meeting this reporter was at but I attended this forum and found your reporting very biased. This article "featured" Laila Michaud. She is a nice lady but she was very indecisive about how to progress with the pressing opportunities that our town is facing. Both Joe Macchia and Peter Normandin had definitive and creative responses to the questions presented but your article either misquoted or didn't bother to present them. Shame on you!!

Carol Urban wrote:

I'm not sure which meeting this reporter was at but I attended this forum and found your reporting very biased. This article "featured" Laila Michaud. She is a nice lady but she was very indecisive about how to progress with the pressing opportunities that our town is facing. Both Joe Macchia and Peter Normandin had definitive and creative responses to the questions presented but your article either misquoted or didn't bother to present them. Shame on you!!

I have to disagree about the candidates performances. Normandin looked like a big blow hard. He gave long responses; he was the only candidate who ran in to time issues and he made a lot of big vague promises with no concrete answers. He keeps emphatically saying there are definitely cuts than can be made that won't cut critical services but can't seem to specify what those cuts are. Come on now, this type of behavior may be acceptable on an anonymous blog but not for a Selectman.

As far as Macchia’s performance he seems to be a two issue candidate. He wants to put term limits on volunteer boards/commissions, which seems to be aimed at the Conservation Commission, and he wants to protect the schools. This is certainly an admirable goal, but his efforts may be more suitable for a School Committee position. The Board of Selectman has a lot of other diverse responsibilities ranging from dealing with the town budget to granting earth removal permits. Macchia does not seem to be up to the challenge.

I do agree with you that more of Michaud’s responses were highlighted in the article. Perhaps it is because she tended to give answers that were short and concise and did not ramble on so it was easier for the reporter to make note of. Whatever the case be, after that debate my vote has now switched over to Michaud. The other two candidates seem to be too satisfied with keeping the status quo performance of the current board.

I didn't call Normandin an expletive so I don't know why it censored me. I simply said he had alot of wind

I would like to commend all three candidates for a good job overall.
I also attended the forum and agree with Westy in that many of Mr. Normandin's answers were rambling and he didn't really provide a concise answer in some instances. I found that other 2 candidates responses were a bit more to the point overall.
Mr. Macchia was really clear on where he stood on most issues.

One thing that did bother me was Mr. Normandin's good ole local boy attitude! He seemed in cahoots with a particular audience member, in regards to the senior center issue. Made me wonder what he promised him. I originally thought his business experience might make him a good choice. I have changed my mind.
There have been numerous complaints recently about the selectman's attitudes. I fear that if Mr. Normandin is elected it will just be more of the same.
We need a different view point and I now believe Lila Michaud is the best choice. She will listen to the people of Westminster and has the experience to lead us.

Let's face it, Normandin already thinks it's his and his going to be crowned king. It's sad that he thinks he can buy and intimidate his way into a leadership position. He's a bully and the last thing Westminster needs at the Selectman's table.

Macchia is a nice guy, but not a leader.

I'll pick the Michaud because she's got the best personality for the job and the most experience that applies to it.

I assume Mr. Macchia would have to stop substitute teaching in the school system, if he were elected. Unless he has said he would not teach anymore, would it not represent a conflict of interest for him to be making decisions regarding budget decisions, etc. that affect the organization that employs him?

You folks are correct about Normandin. After you shake his hand be sure to count you fingers. Most of his "supporters" are either relatives or have some sort of "dependent" relationship as he does have little do-re-me from the old family business. I was amazed that the tactic he used to secure the Main St. property across the street from the Mobile gas station never was raised during the campaign. Given the candidates Michaud looks the absolute best overall.

George wrote:

You folks are correct about Normandin. After you shake his hand be sure to count you fingers. Most of his "supporters" are either relatives or have some sort of "dependent" relationship as he does have little do-re-me from the old family business. I was amazed that the tactic he used to secure the Main St. property across the street from the Mobile gas station never was raised during the campaign. Given the candidates Michaud looks the absolute best overall.

George, I'd be interested to know... what tactic was used to secure the property? I'm not to familiar with this candidate

George it seems as though you have a similar back ground as the other candidate Laila Michaud you dont know yor A^^ for your elbow. Mr. Normandin is a great example of bringing your self from nothing to something. We are very fortunate that a man of his knowledge wants to do some good for the town. Laila answers are wondering roads that in the end lead to nothing she is more of a talking a head of her few obstructionist supporters who will remain nameless. As for as you Ms. Miller your performance on this article is terrible and makes me wonder what community college you flunked out of. Its people like you an george who make it easier to realize why America is in the mess its in today. I challenge you both to sit down with both Joe and Normandin and have a feature article on them both before tuesdays election

Yes Peter Normandin is a snake. He will look you in the eye and tell you one thing and then the next day be quoted in the paper saying the opposite. Watch out for him if he gets elected. If he pats you on the back like he's your buddy, he probably got a knife in his hand to stab you in the back. Yes Peter, if you are reading this, please let the voters know how you acquired the property the liquor store now stands on.

Most of you folks have Normandin pegged quite well. Although I'm out of town his "reputation" extends well beyond your states borders.

Carol Urban wrote:

I'm not sure which meeting this reporter was at but I attended this forum and found your reporting very biased. This article "featured" Laila Michaud. She is a nice lady but she was very indecisive about how to progress with the pressing opportunities that our town is facing. Both Joe Macchia and Peter Normandin had definitive and creative responses to the questions presented but your article either misquoted or didn't bother to present them. Shame on you!!

I believe that Ms. Urban and Mr. Normandin have had a long friendship and her opinion should not get merit as she cannot be objective.

Agreed Greenfield. Her husband is in cahoots with Pete and has been for years. Anyway none of it matters anymore! He didn't win!

You're right, Greenfield and me too. My husband and I have been friends with Peter for 30 years but not as long as several people in town have stated that they have known Laila. I guess that they were not "objective" either. What applies to one surely must apply to others when a statement like this is made.

And you're correct, again. Peter didn't win but we had one of the most interesting and exciting contests in recent memory and generated interest in town events. That's a win, win for us all. Congratulations, Laila!! We wish you the best.

As far as Mr. Normandin bringing himself from nothing to something, I always thought he was "born into" the family business. And then ended up selling it. Concerning his aquisition of the Main St. property, it was by foreclose of a mortgage that he owned. The interesting part is how he aquired the mortgage through "contacts" at the original mortgage holding bank. Rather than go into embarassing detail many of the the documents are public information (Regisrty of Deeds) and the situation is well known by some of Westminster's longer residents. Just ask around.

Additionally, Mr. Normandin has done an excellent job with the new yellow building on Main St. The point I was trying to make was that he may be more a "predatory lender" type than the "Mother Theresa" type he portrays himself as.

Ms. Urban, Being "in cahoots with" vs."we have been friends with" are two totally different scenarios. Of all people, you should know this.