Linda has a change of heart.  Blog Talk Radio has hosted a number of successful debates with Va House and Senate candidates.

Although these debates don't have the formal rules usually associated with a debate (see LWV rules), the hosts (Ben and Lowell) and the moderators (various) have conducted the debates in a professional, unbiased, and respectful manner.

Why on earth do you think Smyth will call in to talk with you? Remember it is members of this Board that operate behind closed doors.

On the other hand, Charlie Hall listened to the citizens and organized the first county wide town hall meeting.  He not only listens, but he hears.  As Supervisor, he will invite all residents of Providence to the table.  Only then will we have a chance to be heard by our Supervisor. 

if she does not care to avail herself of it, that's her business of course.  But the idea that she's busy 24/7 every day until June 12 and can't come on Ben's and my Blog Talk Radio show does seem a bit odd, especially when we've had busy people like Jim Webb, Brian Moran, Steve Jarding and many others come on, no problem.  Anyway, we'll see what happens...or doesn't happen, perhaps. :)

To speak with us regular folk.  Hopefully this candidate doesn't suffer from that same self-importance.

Smyth loathes talking about good public policy. She's more comfortable aping her opponent's campaign promises and thinks that citizens are too ignorant to remember or care once she's elected. What's the saying? "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." I'm tired of listening to her one-way lectures behind the dais that demeans community participation.  It's time to send a message to the Board: It's time for a change. Vote Hall on June 12th.

With all the hoopla over
restrictions on next Tuesday's debate, it would be wonderful to have an open discussion with both candidates. 

And despite all the citizen distress over the policies of our current Board and Linda Smyth's past decisions as Supervisor, I feel very strongly that she should not be dissuaded from participating through fear of being skewered.  I've heard your show in the past, and I know you try to be fair as well enlightening.

In the marketplace of ideas, there is nothing like an unscripted discussion....

changes her mind and comes on the show, even if just for a few minutes...

If not, there is also a second Candidates' Forum being organized by a host of Providence sports organizations and community groups.

Listened to the talk show tonight.  Hearing Charlie Hall explain his vision was very helpful.  I now know that I will choose Charlie Hall.  I ask others to join with me so we can help Charlie to win.

... if as Mr. Hall and his supporters say that Mrs. Smyth is a recluse and is not open to debates and declined the invaluable opportunity to talk on radio blog RK ... then why on earth would she set up a debate at the James Lee Community center?

I am still bothered by Mr. Hall's comment that the James Lee Community center is not good enough for him to debate in.  Athletic Groups are special interest groups.  Why would you want a special interest group to hold a candidate debate?  I doubt that the recluse Mrs. Smyth will appear.

Please respond why you set up the location of the debate at the James Lee Community Center instead of the ES in your neighborhood where the kids come to school at 7:30 am and eat lunch at 11 am (by the way, since you don't recall how often kids eat - they have different feeding schedule than do adults - they eat based on waking hours and do not keep the grown up noon or 1pm office lunch hours). 

We could have easly sat in little chairs and listen to Mr. Hall drone and Mrs. Smyth speak in her high pitched voice ...

Please respond Mr. Hall about the potential second debate  to be hosted by a special interest group.

RM

Please describe where and when Mr. Hall commented that "the James Lee Community center is not good enough for him to debate in."  Did he say or imply this?  Or is this a deliberate attempt to distort his remarks?  If you support Linda that's your right; but don't put words in others' mouths.  It only underscores the lack of substance to your arguments.

Several have noted that this venue is tucked away in as remote a corner of Providence as can be found.  That's not to say there's anything wrong with that neck of the woods; but it is clearly not a central location convenient to the bulk of Providence voters.  If there is a reasonable objection to pointing out this real drawback to the venue, I'm willing to hear it.

What I'm most interested in is the discussion on school lunches; am I right to interpret the above to mean that there is someone in the County who actually approves of lunches that start in some cases at 9:30 a.m. due to overcrowding?  The point that kids eat at different times than adults is well-taken, but the fact that kids are eating so-called "lunches" at times that most would see as "breakfast" is a detriment to learning and establishing good eating habits which is increasingly important as childhood obesity and diabetes reach epidemic proportions.  As we pack in more high-rises while deliberately giving them a pass on the parkland/resident ratios (as the Parks Authority did on MetroWest after spending two years pointing out the major capacity problems of parks in the area), and take away playground space at schools for more trailers and "modular" units, these problems will only get worse.

Charlie is out with youth sports groups trying to do something about it.  Defending the status quo and dismissing the involvement of youth sports groups as "special interests" really highlights the need for change in Providence.