Amherst charter debate rescheduled for Feb. 20

AMHERST — An Amherst Media-sponsored debate between supporters and opponents of the charter that would change the town’s form of government has been postponed after concerns were raised about its timing and format.

The forum, which had been scheduled for Thursday evening at the middle school auditorium, is being rescheduled for Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Amherst Media studios, 246 College St. Though it will have no audience, the debate will be streamed live and recorded for future broadcast, said Amherst Media Executive Director Jim Lescault.

Representatives from Amherst for All indicated initially they would decline the invitation to participate, in part because the Charter Commission is meeting at same time and its members’ expertise would be excluded. Lescault agreed to reschedule the forum on these grounds.

Johanna Neumann, chairwoman of the Amherst for All campaign, expressed two additional reservations about the original format. First, it would be tilted toward charter opponents, since three no campaigns — Not This Charter, Vote No on the Charter and Town Meeting Works — would each get as many panelists as Amherst for All.

“The proposed format penalizes those of us who set aside our differences and came together as one group to advocate for change,” Neumann said.

Neumann said Wednesday that Amherst for All expects to participate so long as there is equal representation for each side.

The other worry was about the moderators, with one likely an opponent of the charter. John Bonifaz, president of Free Speech for People, and Bill Newman, a Northampton attorney and WHMP radio host, are supposed to be moderate.

“As long as the moderators conduct themselves professionally, we can live with it,” Neumann said.