State Representative candidate Bob Parks is challenging Christopher Donelan to “town hall” style debates over the summer. The series would include one forum in mutually agreed upon towns in the Second Franklin district. The events would take place during July and August at a time and place to be announced.

Of the challenge, Parks said,

As this is the Year of Change, I think it very important that voters know what their options are. There are very important issues at hand and how the next State Representative addresses them are important. It would also be helpful to have the next representative on-record as to his promises-vice-results so voters can also make informed decisions two years from now.

This is an attempt to have all of the citizens of our district engaged, and not just the loyal activists within each camp. The issues here are just too important to have a minority dictate the direction for the majority.

The Parks Campaign is also offering the voters an incentive to attend the forums. According to Parks Campaign Acting Manager Bryan Dumont,

For example, should we have two forums, we’ll be raffling off one $50 gas card and we invite the incumbent to donate the other. Should we have more events after this summer, we can continue the raffles as needed.

As far as forum format, the Parks Campaign suggests:

• Two minute introductions
• Q&A from voters: The two candidates can alternate giving the first response of up to an agreed upon duration, and the other candidate will then have a predetermined duration to respond
• Closing with two minute statements from each candidate
• Gas card raffle

The dates, times and locations for the Second Franklin district State Representative “Town Hall forums” would be announced in local newspapers.