Candidates Burn O'Brien, Talk Gaming

Only two of the 10 candidates for state representative in Windham appeared at a candidates' night hosted by the Woman's Club on Tuesday, but both still spent over an hour fielding questions on hot-button issues in the state.

Carolyn Webber and Kristi St. Laurent, both of whom are Democratic candidates currently serving on the town's Planning Board, spoke at Windham Town Hall on retirement reform, gun control, expanded gambling, public transportation, gay marriage and healthcare.

Both also received a chance to take shots at Republican House Speaker William O'Brien.

St. Laurent took issue with the way O'Brien has conducted business in Concord, calling out his moral agenda.

"I believe the way he conducts business is not the way I wish my state to be run and it's not the way I wish to be represented," she said.

Webber went after bills that she said O'Brien advocates, such as reducing aid by $9 million for disabled and needy families, repealing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and removing consumer protection in oil contracts.

Both candidates said that they are against repealing the state's marriage law, indicating that the change in the law to allow for same sex marriage has not caused a detrimental effect to their families or others.

Both were also open to expanded gambling, with Webber saying it will bring thousands of jobs. She said that money will need to be set aside to help those out with gambling problems, saying that there are no local services right now.

St. Laurent said she was more reserved for excitement on gaming, but said that after some thorough research and discussions with other states, there could be consideration.

Town Moderator Peter Griffin, who also moderated the event, said that the questions were drawn up from issues found in local media during the last legislative session. Some questions were also asked after being delivered by audience members.

All six GOP candidates did not attend, with five submitting a letter on Monday declining their attendance. Three had previously indicated they would appear before the letter was received.

In the letter, those five candidates said that they would be open to attending a post-primary event.

Windham resident Neelima Gogumalla read prepared statements from the two other Democratic candidates – Neil Fallon and Tony Keevan.

Fallon said in his note that he will not spend a single dollar, even for yard signs, on his campaign. He said that he wants to be considered a "progressive thinker.

Fallon has been a resident of Windham for 12 years and said that he has been a Democrat since he could first vote.

Keevan, who manages the biology department at Tufts University, said that he is "appalled at what the Republican power is doing to (New Hampshire)."

He said that he brings a fresh, practical solutions, and will prioritize job creation, education and healthcare for all.