Comtois hits Gobi no-show at debate
5th Worcester state rep. race

By Bradford L. Miner, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

October 20, 2006

SPENCER— Stephen J. Comtois II, Republican candidate for state representative in the 5th Worcester District, took state Rep. Anne M. Gobi, D-Spencer to task for her absence from a recent debate here.

Ms. Gobi said she had made a prior commitment in her duties as state representative to attend an event in Hardwick on the night of the debate.

Mr. Comtois said, “I am deeply disappointed that my opponent chose not to show up for the debate. This is another sharp contrast between her and me. I am willing to listen to the voters and share with them my views. My opponent, on the other hand, refuses to discuss her voting record because she is rightfully afraid to defend it.”

He said it was “unfortunate that my opponent chose cooking hot dogs over an open fire rather than showing up for the only scheduled debate of this election,” referring to the Hardwick Historical Society event Ms. Gobi attended.

Ms. Gobi countered that she had offered the Spencer Taxpayers Association, the sponsors of the debate, many alternate dates and suggested additional dates at the last minute.

She said Timothy Leahy, president of the association, had made a donation of $250 to Mr. Comtois’ campaign and $100 to the campaign of David Singer, Republican candidate for the 6th Worcester District.

“On Oct. 12, the date of the debate, I had made commitments for a number of activities, including the 20th anniversary of Kanzaki Paper of Ware, the opening of the Molly Bish Center at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, a meeting of the Route 122 Scenic Byway Advisory Committee in Barre and an evening meeting of the Hardwick Historical Society, where I spoke about money I had secured for local historical projects and an update on other issues of concern to historical societies,” Ms. Gobi said.

Sheila MacKinnon, program chairwoman of the Hardwick Historical Society, said the Oct. 12 program was titled “Cooking in Colonial Times,” describing the preparation process for traditional meals.

She said Mr. Comtois’ offhand remark about cooking hot dogs over an open fire was not worthy of comment.

Mr. Comtois and Mr. Singer were present for the debate last week. Geraldo Alicea, Democratic candidate for the 6th Worcester District, and Ms. Gobi had representatives present to read statements on their behalf.