Candidates for Milford Board of Aldermen and Board of Education participated in recent forums that are now available to the public online at youtube.com/@milfordedadvocates.
The forums were a joint effort by the Milford PTA Council, Milford Ed Advocates and All in for Milford partner to help voters make informed choices. Of the 43 candidates, 19 participated.
Questions were sourced from community members. All candidates were invited and questions were provided ahead of time.
“This spring, over 2,000 Milford residents successfully united to fight for restoring $1.65 million in education funding. We emerged with a stronger understanding of the roles our elected officials play in education funding, and an interest in learning more about the candidates,” said Kara Flannery, founder of Milford Ed Advocates.
“Milford PTA Council is proud to have hosted Board of Education forums for years, and now to expand, engaging with Board of Aldermen candidates,” said Bridget Krauss, president of Milford’s PTA Council. “We learned so much from the candidates about why they want to serve Milford and their priorities – even from incumbents.”
Topics address key concerns that elected officials will need to grapple with. Candidates delve into managing the challenge of balancing desired investments with rising costs, preparing students for the future workforce while ensuring their well-being in the present, teacher hiring and retention, and identifying critical initiatives to guarantee an adequate supply of housing.
The sponsor organizations pointed out that participation does not imply an endorsement by those groups.
Participants from District 1 were: Matt Arciuolo (D) and Michelle Parente (D), Board of Aldermen; Gary Peluchette (D), Erin Pinsince (D) and Christina Prete (R), Board of Education. Participants from District 2 were: Robert Pacelli, Jr. (D), Board of Aldermen; Meghan Doyle (D) and Susan Glennon (D), Board of Education. Participants from District 3 were: Paul Healy (D) and Holly Mulrenan (D), Board of Aldermen; Tracey Irby (D) and Una Petroske (D), Board of Education. District 4 participants included: Jennifer Federico (D), Board of Aldermen; Cindy Wolfe Boynton (D) and Tom Koba (D), Board of Education. The District 5 participants were: Ellen Russell Beatty (D) and Carl Moore (D), Board of Aldermen; Loren Mahler (D) and Mike Smith (D), Board of Education.