A handful of Boston mayoral candidates participated in a Boston.com Lab Debate at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
After all 12 candidates shared the stage last night during NECN’s televised debate, Marty Walsh, Felix Arroyo, and Bill Walczak discussed “Boston as a College Town,” with Berklee College of Music President Roger H. Brown serving as moderator.
Those watching the Boston.com live stream of the debate were encouraged to tweet questions and voice their opinions with #LabDebates included in the text.
A crowded field and heightened publicity saw the debate last night turn into a verbal version of “King of the Hill” — an escalating shouting match with little to show for itself.
Today’s event, however, came across as more cordial and informative, albeit narrower in scope.
You learn so much more in small settings with the candidates. Well done @Marty_Walsh @FelixArroyo @BillWalczak #labdebates
— Peter Ubertaccio (@ProfessorU) September 10, 2013
During the debate, the three candidates were asked to address several issues, including: Mayor Menino’s crackdown on college partying; sexual assault on college campuses; what they would do to retain college graduates; concerns about housing; and any of their perceived flaws, amongst other topics.
Two more Lab Debates are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday of this week, each beginning at 1 p.m.
Tomorrow, John Barros, Dan Conley, and Charlotte Golar Richie are scheduled to discuss “Diversity in Boston.” On Thursday, Charles Clemons Jr., John Connolly, Rob Consalvo and Mike Ross are scheduled to talk about “Arts and Culture in Boston.”
Below are some tweets from today’s #LabDebates
Boston Comment (@BostonComment)
We end here by focusing on the candidates perceived flaws. Can they convince us they deserve the job? #bosmayor #bospoli #labdebates
— Boston Comment (@BostonComment) September 10, 2013
Sexual assault on campus: Should BPD take the lead on investigating? #labdebates
— Boston Comment (@BostonComment) September 10, 2013
One in 3 people are under 35, and many young people feel Boston isn’t welcoming to them. Nightlife, concerts, art are important #labdebates
— Boston Comment (@BostonComment) September 10, 2013
Now, colleges only pay 1/4 the property tax rate. Should they pay more, less, or in a different way? #LabDebates
— Boston Comment (@BostonComment) September 10, 2013
Felix Arroyo (@FelixArroyo)
@FelixArroyo will not be told he’s too young to be #bosmayor. And just 4 years older than me but so accomplished. #labdebates
— Meg (@mreils) September 10, 2013
Arroyo: “we need to stop talking about sexual assault like it’s a woman’s issue.” It’s a men’s issue too, he said. #labdebates
— Akilah Johnson (@akjohnson1922) September 10, 2013
Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh)
.@marty_walsh takes on his nice-guy image: “We don’t need mean in the city of Boston,” he says, adds, “you have to be firm.” #labdebates
— Michael Levenson (@mlevenson) September 10, 2013
What keeps college students from staying in Boston? @marty_walsh says it’s housing. #LabDebates
— Joanna Weiss (@JoannaWeiss) September 10, 2013
Bill Walczak (@BillWalczak)
.@BillWalczak proposes a meet-the-mayor day for college students. ‘Let’s have a day where we engage the newcomers.” #LabDebates
— Michael Levenson (@mlevenson) September 10, 2013
.@BillWalczak: Madison Park HS hasn’t had right leadership in over a generation. #labdebates
— Kathleen Kingsbury (@katiekings) September 10, 2013
Any Bostinno readers participate? Yes or no, we’d love to hear your thoughts below.
