Freedom—September 25, 2024—The views of Dr. Bill Marsh and Mark McConkey on the state of our lakes and drinking water protections will be a key part of a candidate forum on those topics at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, at Freedom Town Hall.
Marsh and McConkey are running to replace outgoing State Senator Jeb Bradley in Senate District 3, which encompasses a huge swath of communities from Bretton Woods to Middleton, including Ossipee Lake and its surroundings.
Berry Bay Association is sponsoring the event with Ossipee Lake Alliance, Broad-Leavitt Bay Association and Green Mountain Conservation Group.
Candidates for State Representative in Districts 4, 5, 7 and 8 have also been invited, with James Pittman, Rob Davies, Richard Brown, Brian Taylor, and Bobbi Boudman committed to attend, according to Berry Bay Association President Roberta MacCarthy.
The forum, to be moderated by Freedom’s long-time Town and School District moderator Don Johnson, is for lake and off-lake residents alike, including residents of towns not on Ossipee Lake but within the relevant electoral districts.
Candidates will have an opportunity to make an opening statement, and will then field questions about their positions on environmental issues posed by the moderator and the audience, including members of the press.
This will be the second candidate forum on Ossipee Lake this year. The first, hosted by Broad-Leavitt Bay Association in July, made news after Executive Councilor Joe Kenney told the meeting that DES officials “missed the boat” by not holding a public hearing on a major dock application opposed by lake residents and Ossipee’s Conservation Commission.
NH LAKES President Andrea LaMoreaux pointed to the Ossipee Lake forums as an important way for voters to understand how the candidates are likely to vote on lake and water quality issues if elected.
“These forums are leading the way by pulling together candidates to share how they will do their part to ensure that New Hampshire has clean and healthy lakes today and into the future,” she said in a statement.
“It is my hope that other groups throughout the state will be inspired to host such forums as well. It’s time that all of our elected offices, no matter their party or district, prioritize restoring the health of our lakes.”
Kudos to all those involved in organizing this event, and to the candidates for taking part. This is a wonderful example of participatory democracy and governance, a hallmark of the Granite State going back to colonial days. And, finally, all due attention is being applied to one of our most precious and irreplaceable assets: our lakes. Thank you!
Curious. Was McConkey the attorney or one, working to open/reopen a gasoline station in a sensitive area on Rte 25? The name sounds familiar.
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I believe Mark McConkey is not an attorney but was working with the Indian man who bought Boyle’s as well as representing Freedom in Concord.
Regardless of your ability to vote in New Hampshire, attending this forum will demonstrate the degree to which the community is involved and concerned with promoting and advocating for a healthy lake. Please consider setting aside the time to attend, and bring your neighbors!