One of the state's three Democratic candidates for governor will
visit Topsfield next week to share views and take questions from
interested voters from the area.

Hosted by the Democratic Town Committees of Topsfield, Boxford,
Middleton and Georgetown, the event will feature governor candidate
Deval Patrick, as well as lieutenant governor candidates Deborah
Goldberg, Sam Kelley and Andrea Silbert. A fourth candidate for
lieutenant governor may also be there.

Candidates will not only share policy concerns, but will also
address issues that voters request. Boxford Democratic Town
Committee Chairwoman Cherie Hoyt wants voters to come out and see
their candidates live.

"There's nothing like seeing them in person, and hearing how they
handle questions that people ask them," said Hoyt. "There are plenty
of events available, but it's nice to have one close enough to home
and not at an inconvenient time."

When asked what he'd like to accomplish at the event, Patrick
said, "I have a vision of moving Massachusetts forward, and the
leadership we need to get that done. I believe in the American
dream, and want to work to put it within reach for more people here
in Massachusetts."

To make the event as convenient and enjoyable as possible, Hoyt
reserved the Gould Barn in Topsfield to accommodate around 100
guests - plus more outside if necessary.

An incentive to organize this event is the notion that this region
of the state is commonly thought of as mainly Republican, said Hoyt.

"In general I've heard that until recently candidates didn't really
come to this part of the state, because they might have thought it
wouldn't be worth their while because we're known to have a large
Republican population," she said.

"There would be jokes when someone would move into Boxford, 'You're
not a Democrat are you? You better keep that under wraps.' But of
course nowadays it's not something you have to keep hidden," she
said, chuckling.

But Hoyt hopes to get not just get the Democrats out next Saturday,
May 20, but to get the un-enrolled voters, too.

"The unenrolled voters in this area outnumber the Democrats and the
Republicans put together, so both parties have the opportunity to
sway those voters," she said.

According to Patrick's campaign spokesperson, Libby DeVecchi,
Patrick chose to fit Topsfield into his schedule because he's
running a grassroots campaign.

"[His campaign] is about talking to people about the issues they
care about and he looks forward to talking to local residents and
answering their questions," said DeVecchi.

"The only way a Democrat has won the governor's office over the past
20 years is through building a grassroots base of support," she said.

With a September primary on the horizon, Hoyt wants to get voters
excited to get involved early. Asked how she'd recommend attendees
prepare for the event, Hoyt suggested taking a look at each
candidate's Web site, as well as paying attention to their names in
the news and whether they're making any policy pronouncements.

With doors opening at 1:30 p.m. and Deval Patrick scheduled to kick
off the event at 2 p.m., Hoyt said she expects the event to end
after a couple of hours, but said she hopes people will stay and
mingle.

Explaining the candidates are fitting in their appearances despite
very tight schedules, Hoyt stressed that the event will not be a
forum, as each candidate has a specific time slot they've allotted
for the visit. Each slot does include question and answer time,
though, she said.

Hoyt said the lineup has yet to be finalized as the committees are
seeking attendance from other candidates in both the lt. governor
and governor races.

The Meet the Democratic Candidates event will be held Saturday, May
20, 2 p.m., at the Gould Barn in Topsfield. For information, call
Cherie Hoyt at 978-887-8419.

Source: Tri-town Transcript