GLOCESTER – With just days remaining before a primary will eliminate one of the six Republican candidates for the Glocester Town Council, a resident stepped forward to organize an impromptu forum to allow voters to get some of their questions answered.
Resident Mike DeGrange has invited all eight council candidates – including the two independents who won’t appear on a ballot until the general election in November – to participate in a discussion on Sunday, Sept. 8. The three able to attend were incumbent councilors Jonathan Burlingame, Walter Steere and William Worthy.
The forum was held at Pinewood Pub and was not be open to the public for in-person attendance. It was, however, published online for voters to watch.

DeGrange posted a survey to gather questions in advance, with a deadline in the evening on Friday, Sept. 6 and noted he received several submissions.
“We will be using these answers to define the questions to the candidates that show up,” DeGrange said.
DeGrange, a member of the Planning Board who has previously run for office himself, said he decided to host the event both for the benefit of voters and to give the candidates a platform.
“I know it”s hard for the new people to get their name out there,” he said.
The Glocester Business Association has also organized a “Meet the Candidates,” event, but it will not be held until after Tuesday’s primary, and is only open to GBA Members and guests. That event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 26 at Assados Kitchen & Bar, and GBA Vice President Kady Rogler said the organization plans to discuss recording the forum, but it is not yet certain.
Video of DeGrange’s event was posted on the Glocester, RI Facebook page, which has some 7,300 members. DeGrange is one of the page admins, and noted that some of the other admins may have helped out, but they’re related to the candidates.
“I wouldn’t let them take part,” he said. “We were asked to do it, and thought it was a great idea.”
DeGrange previously ran as a Republican, but said the forum this Sunday will be non-partisan with the goal of giving both incumbents and newcomers a fair chance to introduce themselves to an online audience.
“I don’t agree with some of the stances of the people on the council but that’s not what this is about,” he said. “I want it to be more of an open dialog.”
Video of the event will remain on the page following the meeting to be viewed at residents’ convenience.
He said he will also make an effort to meet with those who were unable to attend the event due to short notice or scheduling.
“I reached out to all of them,” DeGrange said. “If they can’t make it that day I can always meet up with them.”
Voting in the Republican primary will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 10, with early voting already underway at Glocester Town Hall. Voters can see more information on the primary, along with brief bios on the six candidates appearing on the Republican ballot here.
Editor’s note: The above article was updated following the Sunday event.

I have long thought there should be an answer & question forum with all potential those running for office. But this forum must be open to the public so questions and follow up questions can be asked. This forum proposed will not allow that to happen. Submitting question prior to is only a half measure, but better than nothing. It is had to vote for someone when you do not know where they stand on issues. Those running for town council say what they want to do but never how they will do it.