Meet the candidate nights inform voters

I would like to clear up misconceptions about meet the candidates nights. 

I have been helping produce and chair candidates nights for over 40 years and have experience with these events.

The main reason for meet the candidates nights is to allow voters to see and hear candidates discuss their stances on issues, see how they deal with others and have a chance to talk with them. It’s one thing to read their responses on the internet or in the newspaper and another to see and hear them in person. It’s also a chance to ask them questions only you may have that otherwise could not be asked.

It’s more than a meet-and-great event for new candidates. It’s a chance for even long-time office holders to discuss issues of the moment and for voters who have never been to such an event or who don’t know the candidates to find out the candidates’ backgrounds, qualifications and personal views.

I urge Melrose area and 7th Congressional District residents to attend the Melrose Meet the Candidate Night, organized by the Melrose Area Women of Today, Oct. 12 at the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center in Melrose. This is what grassroots democracy looks like. If you want to know who you are voting for in the Nov. 3 general election, this event can inform you in a few hours.