HopNews
On the afternoon of March 31, 2023, Susan Stephenson made a public post on Facebook announcing to her friends that she had “moved to Hopkintin (sic)”.
In the post, Stephenson announced her candidacy for School Committee, having been urged by her “good friend” Punky. “Punky” is the nickname for Nancy Drawe, the chair of the Hopkinton Housing Authority. Drawe was elected in 2022 and is serving a 5-year term.
Stephenson also noted that “right now I have one opponent, but that might change in the near future”. The opponent she referenced was Adam Munroe, who had pulled papers earlier. The Unenrolled candidate, Ashley Fogg, had yet to enter the race.
According to her profile on the Hopkinton Democrats website, Stephenson moved to Hopkinton in September 2022 from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, where she was a teacher in the Seneca Valley School District for 36 years. Despite never having children in the Hopkinton Public Schools, never having held public office and being new to the area, Hopkinton voters saw fit to approve her for School Committee, electing her on May 15 with 934 votes to Fogg’s 616.
Initially Stephenson did not campaign, presumably because there were two candidates and two vacant seats. That changed when Fogg entered the race, and on April 15 Stephenson took to Facebook to solicit donations.
In concert with this announcement, the Democratic machine organized, and signs for both Stephenson and Munroe began to appear in yards around town. Letters to the editor poured in, notably one from Drawe herself.
On April 26, 2023, the Hopkinton Women’s Club hosted a “Meet the Candidates” night at HCAM studios. There were seven questions asked of Stephenson and Fogg (Munroe had a prior engagement and couldn’t attend). Of the questions, two focused on book banning, one on Critical Race Theory, one on how each candidate would prepare to join the school committee, and four on LGBTQIA+ topics, with the focus primarily on children who identify as transgender. While 57% of the questions focused on issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community, only 2.9% of students in Massachusetts identify as “transgender or questioning their gender identity”. (source)
From a practical standpoint, the School Committee has very little influence over policy affecting the LGBTQIA+ community as those policies are set at the state level by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Absent were questions affecting a broad spectrum of students, such as the school budget, the Elmwood School replacement, tailoring education to suit our town’s shifting demographics, and mental health issues.
A review of the transcript of that debate reveals that the candidates offered nearly identical answers to each question. Both agreed that book banning was inappropriate, both agreed that non-binary and trans students should be able to participate in sports, and both felt that all children should feel loved and supported regardless of their gender identity. Both agreed that slavery and its ongoing impact should be taught in public schools.
According to a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, while the advance questions submitted to the Hopkinton Women’s Club were purportedly from various residents they were in fact prepared by the HDTC.
In the days that followed the event the comment section of HopNews was littered with claims that Fogg was supportive of book banning and that she had a secret anti-LGBTQIA+ agenda. “Maybe Ashley wouldn’t get asked so much if she would be willing to talk specifics about things like how she feels about pride flags in a classroom or how she feels about teachers being allowed to discuss and read about different family make ups, including those with 2 same sex parents, different gender identities, etc.,” wrote one commenter. Many other commenters expressed a similar sentiment.
It has now been proven that many, if not all of these comments originated from the HDTC chair.
As Election Day grew closer, the Hopkinton Democrats put their economic shoulder behind Stephenson’s candidacy, with many notable politicians joining in their support.
Curiously, the HDTC did not execute a background check on Stephenson prior to endorsing her. It’s understandable that this may not be a typical procedure; it’s likely that most of their candidates have lived in town for many years and their history is well known. Stephenson, however, was an outsider, virtually unknown to all but a few.
Had they, voters may have learned that on New Years Day 2017, Susan Marie Stephenson was arrested for Operating Under the Influence (OUI) in Crawford County, PA. She plead guilty in exchange for a lesser charge of Excessive Speed (87 in a 70mph zone). A little more than a month later, on February 6, 2017, Stephenson was again arrested in Slippery Rock for OUI and charged with a second offense. The case spanned several months, culminating in a guilty plea. She was ordered to serve 42 days in jail, pay a $750 fine, perform 60 hours of community service and participate in drug & alcohol treatment for six months. (view the docket)
Prior to this, Stephenson had two other misdemeanor arrests and convictions stemming from incidents in 2015.
Both Stephenson and Drawe were contacted for a comment on this article but they declined our request.
Before and after the May 15 election, in comments on HopNews and the Hopkinton Uncommon Facebook group, some residents wondered why the HDTC put forth a seemingly unqualified candidate. What remains unclear is if Stephenson’s past will impede her in becoming the effective School Committee member she promised to be for Hopkinton’s children.
This is just typical of the HDTC and Darlene. If she wants someone in a particular position, she does whatever she needs to do to get that person there. Darlene has continued to bully and intimidate people that run for volunteer position(s) because they don’t have the same beliefs or same political view(s) as she does. It is her way or no way. She has no respect for the town or anyone that sees anything slightly differently than her. She completely discounts others and how they feel. Then someone who moves to town that has OUI’s and has gone through a drug & alcohol treatment program that is fine to support and PUSH to be a school committee member??? Great example for young children. I continue to scratch my head. Ashley grew up in Hopkinton, has YOUNG children in town and is extremely involved with the schools, and she gets eviscerated? Everything is wrong about this. The icing on the cake, Darlene gives a “forced” apology that anyone who actually reads it, knows she is doing nothing more than going through the motions because she has too!
Rachel,
As someone who worked in the alcohol industry, it is white ingenious to complain about someone who was addicted to alcohol. You were a supplier for many years.
This isn’t a personal attack – your LinkedIn profile lists you as the General Manager for Marty’s Fine Wines from April 2016 to June 2021. Does this make you a ‘bad explains’ person to be around children?
Darlene Hayes was a bad actor. You may have problems with how Darlene acted, but that doesn’t reflect on anyone else.
Well for once, I don’t even know what to say. Hopefully she is able to turn her life around here and has the support and faculties to do that.
Again, the HDTC can use this moment to create and establish best practices. The single most important job is to properly vet candidates. Standardize this process and make it fair. If you are going to throw your resources behind a candidate you need to understand their background and who they are as a person.
It is extremely unfortunate that this information has come to light now and it seems particularly unfair to our sitting school committee member who was clearly ill advised by HDTC leadership.
This situation continues to deteriorate without an appropriate response from the HDTC. This news is devastating all around.
Perhaps there needs to be a recall?
So I just heard Susan hasn’t drank for 7 years. Wow that really changed the story line. Defaming her and Darlene like this is pretty shameful. This “news-source” is starting to feel like Turtle – boy.
With respect, Ms. Foemmel, defamation cases are rooted in libel and slander laws. Both of these definitions are predicated on false statements being made about a person or corporation. What is reported above is a matter of public record – Facebook, the HCAM recording and court documents from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. There is nothing defamatory, slanderous or libelous in this article.
Please KF, tell us what else you “heard”. I’m dizzy with anticipation.
Surprised? What do you expect when a complete stranger comes to “Hopkintin”.
Alcohol like any other drug/substance can be abused is a serious issue. I hope this person gets the professional help she so obviously needs. As a convicted criminal will she even get past CORI to get onto our school property?
So if I have this right, the HDTC (led by disgraced former Chair Darlene Hayes) puts all its heft behind a woman who never lived here, no kids in our schools, knows nothing about our town (including its spelling), has never served publicly and is a drunk. Do I have that right? I understand she was a teacher in PA. So what! Maybe next election we can convince a biology teacher from Kansas who dabbles in crystal meth to move here and run.
The resignation train is pulling into Hopkintin….again. I suggest Ms. Stephenson gets aboard.
Just wish this crack investigation team was here during the Republican led charge to “improve” Hopkinton by giving us Legacy Farms and the downtown disaster.
Is there anything in the reporting done by HopNews which indicates they’re playing political favorites?
Deflecting is unbecoming, Ms. Foster. I’m not here to defend HopNews but I believe this ‘crack investigative team’ blew the cover off that mess which I’m guessing you probably (like me) would still know nothing about it had they not done the work to expose it. There is another article with a robust comment section on this app re: the LNG/Legacy Farms disaster. If you wish to opine further on the matter, I suggest you put your comments there.
Once again our community owes a big “Thank You” to HopNews for taking the time to ask questions that nobody else is asking, and to do some real investigative journalism on issues that are important to our town. Let the truth come out on all matters. I have not seen HopNews playing favorites. They follow the story wherever it leads. There will always be those who feel threatened by the truth, or who are angry about “dirty laundry” getting aired. The issue here is not about what candidates should be elected. It is about transparency and honesty. Tricking people with fake emails, posing as multiple readers, and having a “meet the candidates” forum with pre-arranged questions for certain favored candidates, are not the kinds of behavior that set a good example for our town or for our students.
Only a very small percent of our town is actually voting. This is the problem–not enough public engagement, including listening and dialoguing, volunteering, and VOTING. This can lead to the famous phrase by William Pitt, former Prime Minister of England from 1766-1778: “Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it” better known as “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” If someone or bodies are dominating public discourse and decision making, those sitting idling by and those following blindly are equally at fault. So, if we don’t like it change it.
I’ve been impressed overall by the quality of HopNews over the past few months and appreciate the coverage of topics that can be difficult for town’s with excellent reputations like Hopkinton’s to confront — widespread cheating at school, the problems at CVS, whatever craziness is going on with the Eversource plant, the interference in our most recent election. I think you all do a pretty fantastic job of local reporting.
But this article reads more like a hit piece designed to discredit the HDTC at the expense of Susan Stephenson than it does a straight news story, or even one that cares that much about Susan’s DUIs. It would have been more well received by me if there had been a straight news story detailing without passion the facts of Susan’s past, which, despite the headline, we don’t learn until paragraph 15 — followed by an editorial piece outlining the double standards in the election, the failures of the HDTC to vet its candidates, and why the DUIs should have been disqualifying.
To be clear I’m not saying this as any friend of the HDTC. I wouldn’t be a part of them, and they definitely wouldn’t want me either. I voted for Ashley Fogg, had a sign for her in my yard, and think she would have been an excellent addition to the school committee.
The DUIs, as inherent threats to public safety, are newsworthy for sure. It would have been preferable if they had been uncovered prior to the election, so Susan could have been directly asked about them. It would have been ideal if an article just about Susan’s past had been written without conflating her past with the attacks on Ashley Fogg. Next time, I hope the very capable folks at HopNews will do this kind of research before the election rather than after and will save the valid editorializing for pieces labeled as such.
Thank you for your intelligent and reasonable comment, Ms. Klein. You make several valid points. 
HopNews failed to investigate Stevenson before the election, and it would have been ideal to publish this story before May 15, as you rightly point out. Our only excuse for not having done the research is that we were naïve, and assumed that the candidates were fully vetted by their party.
We learned of this information in the course of our investigation into the HDTC and its attempt to sway the election. At that moment, we were presented with a choice: to keep the information from our readers (because the election is over) or to share what we had learned. It wasn’t meant to be a hit piece on Stevenson or the HDTC. Rather, we hope it speaks to the larger issue of election meddling and the consequences of that on a local level.
“According to a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, while the advance questions submitted to the Hopkinton Women’s Club were purportedly from various residents they were in fact prepared by the HDTC.”
What is it with Democrats in this State and in the country in general? Do they cheat because they feel they can’t win fairly?
“While 57% of the questions focused on issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community, only 2.9% of students in Massachusetts identify as “transgender or questioning their gender identity”.
Exactly. The questions are biased towards woke politics and nonsensical issues like the banning of essentially pornography from our school libraries. All the white liberal woman with hate has no home signs then go out and vote for the candidate who virtual signals the best. You would never catch any of these families moving to say Chelsea or Roxbury where there is real diversity. But hey you got that sign out front right?
Bingo
Respectfully…
“Do they cheat because they feel like they can’t win fairly?” – there are bad eggs in every political party. How many indictments does Trump have right now? We’ve seen cheating & the blame game come from both sides. It doesn’t mean it should happen or be condoned though.. People with glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
As a “white liberal woman” who has lived in a couple pretty diverse towns and a few with very little diversity, this was something I considered a negative when deciding whether to move to Hopkinton to be perfectly honest. I WANT the diversity and welcome it. I make choices to expose my kids to as much diversity as i can. So to say that we stand for something we don’t actually want is not correct. We are very happy with our decision to move (back) here and so happy to get to know many AMAZING people who live in town.
I’m sure there are some white women who have “hate has no home here signs” that aren’t very involved with current political or social movements that support people of color and/or any marginalized community. At the very least, the sign shows respect and support for those who have no choice BUT to be involved. So it’s not a valid dig on the dems to be white, liberal, and have an inclusive sign in their garden. ????????♀️
You wrote “who virtual signals the best”. I believe this is a dig at Susan’s virtues but please correct me if I’m wrong. If you are claiming she has poor virtues because of a prior alcohol addiction, I think you’d be surprised to know that many recovering alcohol addict are genuinely good people who survived the disease of alcoholism. They can carry out a progressive, impactful, beautiful life. I don’t know Susan but if she’s in recovery and moved to a nice town for a new start and is following her desire to become more involved with her new community in a positive way by offering her extensive experience as a teacher, etc., I would make the assumption she’s a good human and deserves a judgement free chance at this.
Everyone is making this race to be divided politically. Claims that people are voting their own party. Most people i talked to about this vote early on discussed candidate experience not political affiliation. Then, Ashley did not respond to many respectfully worded requests (and some with abrupt and accusatory tones) on social media to elaborate/clarify her thoughts on a subject. Her lack of response, followed by a combative response, followed by deleting and blocking comments and school staff members from her campaign page, etc, was what concerned me. I did communicate this to Ashley in a respectful way and then she publicly clarified her thoughts. i appreciated her response and made my own decision from there. No comments on here or Facebook swayed me and i trust many other people decided the election that way. Darlenes actions were not okay and Should never have happened.
One final question/comment if you’re still reading (thank you!) – I’m wondering if the local Republican reps were given a chance to ask their own questions of the candidates? If so, I don’t see why it matters what the dems ask. Like I said, sometimes it’s about the way the candidates handle tough conversations. Because truly, both parties want to have respectful dialogues that proactively make positive change for the whole.
Bridget H (if that is your real name, who knows, cowardice). As a male, I find it disgraceful that the elections are being partially determined through exclusive FaceBook pages. These are maintained and moderated by women, and the membership is all women. Please tell us why Ashley Fogg should care about this exclusive group, collectively playing dirty politics by using a closed forum to influence outcomes by shaming others?
I do not want any candidate held to any account on an exclusive, women only FB group. It is insanity. NOBODY OWES THIS GROUP ANY EXPLANATION. IN FACT, CANDIDATES SHOULD NOT ENGAGE on social media. All comments, dialogue and thoughts that ask for a candidate reply should be done openly, not by a group with a clear bias. It would be impossible to ask a respectful question if you are trying to put Ashley in an untenable and unfair position.
As a Libertarian watching without support for your agenda, it is clear that the powers that have declared themselves the rulers of whatever will do anything to protect the party (D). Please conduct yourselves appropriately and play above board, not in the protected shadows. The rest of us have a vested interested in the corruption playing out on a forum we cannot read. Sunshine is the best disinfectant, and we have a lot of vermin at play.
Chris Swezey
~Libertarian
Chris:
Great idea! Let’s ban all politicians from social media!
Do you engage with TFG on Truth Social? How about watch any political on Twitter?
Like it or not, politicians have free speech. They engage with people where they exist. If they exist on social media, they’ll be there.
Politicians speak to special interests elsewhere. CPAC, the NRA, TPUSA, etc are all special interests which have clear bias. Everyone does this.
Take your misogynistic elsewhere. It isn’t welcome in Hopkinton.
Enough is Enough: If you are afraid of using your own name when criticizing me, you may as well be Mickey Mouse commenting as far as I am concerned. There is no misogyny in my comment. It is fact, and you distorted my words to suit your narrative. I never said that politicians should be denied any freedom of expression. I said that election outcomes should not be based on FB pages, run by candidates, excluding over half the population, and spinning anything as the internet is a free for all. Darlene Hayes has proven a healthier balance is needed, so the entire electorate has the same information to consider. Unless you are willing to disclose your identity, I am done.
Chris Swezey
~Libertarian
As a concerned resident of Hopkinton, I am deeply alarmed by the revelations brought forth in this article about Susan Stephenson’s campaign. Our democratic election process is meant to be transparent, open, and fair. However, the details of manipulation and deceit associated with this campaign are in direct opposition to these principles.
Elections form the cornerstone of our democracy, and it is absolutely unacceptable when such fraudulent practices threaten to undermine the trust that citizens place in our democratic institutions.
Moreover, considering Ms. Stephenson’s past legal issues as highlighted in this article, I have serious concerns about her ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check. This raises further questions about her ability to even step onto school property, let alone serve on a School Committee.
In light of these alarming revelations, it is in the best interest of our community that Susan Stephenson steps down from her position. I urge Ms. Stephenson to consider the implications of these revelations on the community’s trust in her ability to serve and to do what is right for Hopkinton.
I call on my fellow community members and local authorities to ensure the integrity of our local government is upheld. This issue goes beyond party politics – it is about maintaining honesty and transparency in public service. Let’s stand united in our commitment to these values and work together to protect the integrity of our democratic processes.
Given all the stuff posted here is it grounds for a re-election? In particular the slanderous comments but also is there any restrictions on previous violations? I don’t think Ms Stevenson could even pass a CORI.
Oh no! I have a speeding ticket! That would come back with a CORI, along with the time I was arrested for jaywalking and a marked lane violation.
A CORI is just a records check. Nothing more. It’s up to the requestor to make the decision if the person passes. Would I ‘fail’ your personal CORI based on that?
—–
The election is done. It was free and fair. There was no malfeasance during the election.
Just because you are sore and did not do your research doesn’t allow for a do-over.
If that were the case, we wouldn’t have George Santos or Krysten Sinema in Congress. Brexit wouldn’t have passed.
If you don’t like the results of an election, tough. Don’t whine. Advocate and act.
To whomever is hiding behind “Enough is Enough”:
“A CORI is just a records check. Nothing more. It’s up to the requestor to make the decision if the person passes. Would I ‘fail’ your personal CORI based on that?” – You are aware that all school employees, coaches, custodians, cafeteria workers and others all must SUBMIT to a CORI check. Why in the world would you exempt a school board member? You are wrong about the checks, too. Used properly, they are a necessary hiring tool.
“The election is done. It was free and fair. There was no malfeasance during the election.
Just because you are sore and did not do your research doesn’t allow for a do-over.” – Seriously, just seriously??? The election was rigged, unless you had not noticed, by Darlene Hayes and perhaps others. For those of us with standards, this is not over and a recall is already underway.
“Just because you are sore and did not do your research doesn’t allow for a do-over.” This is far beyond being sore. Foolish comment. Many of us feel our election rights were stolen by Ms. Hayes, possibly illegally. What research do you speak of? In America, “If you don’t like the results of an election, tough. Don’t whine. Advocate and act.” The town is acting now. Many people are furious with the whole escapade and the outcomes. Who are you to declare “tough” when we thought votes were legit and based on facts.
What is your name again? I have had enough with your keyboard warrior tactics. Those are the same tactics that landed your friend(s), Darlene Hayes in hot water. You speak a lot yet know little.
~Chris Swezey
Libertarian
Chris –
A CORI is a records check. The employer decides what to do with the check. If it comes back with a ‘hit’ the employer makes the decision. It is similar to a drug test – if you test positive for a substance, the employer makes the decision what to do about it.
Please cite your sources that the election was rigged. This is a serious accusation that there were improprieties in the election process.
Darlene Hayes did not rig the election. Disinformation is not influencing the process. Please cite your sources where disinformation is illegal.
Please cite your sources that the votes were not legit. I haven’t seen anything that the voting process wad not done with integrity.
Please provide this information and I’d gladly give you my name.
You are destroying the foundation of democracy by rejecting fundamental principles. You aren’t speaking as a libertarian, you are acting as a totalitarian.
Kudos to the Hopnews team for this insightful and informative article. Your investigative work is commendable, shedding light on important issues and keeping the public informed. It is through endeavors like this that we maintain transparency and uphold the principles of our democracy. Keep up the great work!
Anyone care to explain why a Women’s club is in charge of debates? What about the fifty percent of men, who also have opinions? This too seems like another exclusionary, elitist means of rigging the vetting process. Typically, journalists participate in these debate forums. Do they here? It is sad that this embarrassing mess drags the town further through the mud every day. A big shout-out to Darlene Hayes for her contributions to the downfall of democracy in Hopkinton. All of those who supported her or participated in the fraud, you are shameful bullies as well, also hindering the efficacy of the U.S. voting laws. I will say it again, there must be a formal investigation into election fraud and vote rigging by a government authority with the power to impose serious sanctions on all twenty-four personalities. Anything short of that is akin to excusing a violation of our rights and the law.
Chris Swezey
~Libertarian
Well said Chris!
While the HWC hosts a “meet the candidates” forum, HopNews and HCAM moderated a debate between the candidates also. The replay is available here.
Would the Republicans, or any other party, have had the same opportunity to host their own “meet the candidates night”? Does anyone know if they attempted to?
HOPNEWS STAFF: Thank you for the information. My suggestion to turn the reigns partially over to the two newspapers is based on impartiality. I would prefer to see the papers work together, or to alternate, the partial management of all debates in concert with the Selectmen, or Selectpeople. Ms. Hayes has unequivocally proven that neutral third parties from the unbiased press MUST be More involved.
Your staff did an outstanding job uncovering the multiple-personalities (all 24 too) of Ms. Hayes. It is a shame though that all of this information has come to light too late. Ms. Hayes has now, for some insane reason, dug her heels in and refused to resign from everything public.
It is a disgrace, an embarrassment to her, unfair to taxpayers, and has ruined any positive contribution some feel she may have made. This woman, who I do NOT know, is among the most toxic and out of touch public officials in the Commonwealth, right here in town. Expunge her entirely if she does not have the common sense to disappear on her own.
By allowing the papers to be more active in presenting the factual, pertinent information about candidates and their positions MORE timely, we could eliminate elections through gossip on Facebook, excluding most of the electorate. It is the Fourth Column we need to support now more than ever. We NEED the press to hold these people accountable, as Hop News has, with more oversight to effect fair debate and accurate reporting, not less.
Respectfully,
Chris Swezey
~Libertarian
Clearly Susan has experience in school systems which are their own politcal ecosystem she would have navigated. Did it not occur to her to disclose her 4 convictions prior to agreeing to run? Or did she and the HDTC felt it wasn’t an issue.
You are all terrible people for engaging in this discussion.
Alcoholism, like any addiction, is a disease. This isn’t a personal character flaw, but a medical condition.
Would having cancer disqualify someone? How about diabetes? Being bipolar?
It is inappropriate to question Susan’s qualifications based on private medical history. Full stop.
Enough is Enough …
I agree that alcoholism does not disqualify a person from running for local government. Some of my very favorite people are in recovery and a couple of them would be an asset to our School Committee.
The problem here is the lack of disclosure – there exists a criminal record. This information is relevant and owed to the voting public. Either the HDTC chose not to vet their candidate OR made a political calculation. Unfortunately, the behavior around this campaign reflects a systemic belief that HDTC candidates are above scrutiny. I do not blame Ms. Stephenson as I am sure this idea to run for School Committee was not hers alone. She did not receive the campaign advice she deserved and, if she had, we could have avoided this entire humiliation.
A medical condition or not, time in jail and breaking the law on multiple occasions is in fact a personal history that voters have the right to know. There is an alternate campaign strategy that makes a point of highlighting her success after incarceration – instead it was hidden from view. It appears that she will continue to take the poor advice that has plagued her election and not resign. We can only hope that the other school committee members ask her to step down to preserve the integrity of their committee and that she will ultimately comply for the good of our students, schools and community. And then I hope she starts again.
Ted Kennedy drove off a bridge in 1969 and killed a person. He left the scene of the accident and was found guilty.
He continued as a US Senator from Massachusetts until his death in 2009.
Do I need more examples of politicians who had interactions with the criminal justice system and still continued?
Susan shouldn’t step down. She won the free and fair election. For the good of the democratic system in Hopkinton, I hope that everyone accepts the result of the election and stops these offensive attacks on the canidates from the completed election.
IN RESPONSE TO “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH” — the latest post.
Regarding your statement, “It is inappropriate to question Susan’s qualifications based on private medical history.”
YES, THAT GOES WITHOUT SAYING.
NO ONE IS DISCUSSING PRIVATE MEDICAL INFO.
Also, no one is suggesting that alcoholism isn’t an addiction or disease.
– IT’S NOT ABOUT ALCOHOLISM.
– It’s not about a “character flaw.”
– It’s not about any medical condition.
This is about the fact that Ms. Stephenson has a criminal record and has been arrested four times and has spent time in jail WITHIN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.
There really needs to be some type of formal process where background checks are done for any of these elected positions. They should be done by any organization that is deciding to back a candidate. In this case, it wasn’t…and the organization was run by Darlene Hayes, so they’re that.
To answer your other unnecessary questions:
— Would having cancer disqualify someone?
ANSWER: NO, this would not disqualify someone, but is also private medical information that wouldn’t need to be disclosed.
— How about diabetes?
ANSWER: NO, this would not disqualify someone, but is also private medical information that wouldn’t need to be disclosed.
— Being bipolar?
ANSWER: NO, this would not disqualify someone, but is also private medical information that wouldn’t need to be disclosed.
Please don’t try to spin this into what it isn’t.
“Oh no! I have a speeding ticket!” is not the same as being arrested for DUI, and speeding.
And please don’t think, “You are all terrible people for engaging in this discussion,” just because others don’t agree with your views.
Karen –
A criminal record does not disqualify anyone from running for office. There are many people with offenses who have run for office. If you feel that, for your vote, a person who is running for office should not have any interactions with the penal system, you should do your own due diligence.
Don’t bring Darlene Hayes into this – Darlene has nothing to do with this and is a distraction from your offensive argument.
Addition is a disease. The current system makes addiction a criminal offense.
Talking about someone being an alcoholic being a disqualifying event is making a private medical thing a discussion.
I stand by the fact that saying someone should be disqualified for being an addict is a terrible thing and those who hold those views are terrible people. Please allow me to say that you are a terrible person – even if others don’t agree with your view.
Miss Stephenson lived in town with car plate for one year that was from PA how can you be resident with an outer state plate and run for office? Oh by the way it was changed last week. Will never get my vote. Welcome to Massachusetts.