By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – State Representative Danielle Gregoire and City Councilor-at-Large Michael Ossing vigorously proclaimed their experience, qualifications, and plans for economic growth if elected state representative for the 4th Middlesex District at a debate held Aug. 17. The forum, sponsored by the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce (MRCC) and WMCT-TV Marlborough Cable, was held to help voters choose one of the candidates to represent the Democratic Party in the preliminary election to be held Thursday, Sept. 8.
The 4th Middlesex District is comprised of 10 precincts in Marlborough and two precincts in both Westborough and Northborough.
Gregoire is seeking her fourth term, having held the seat from 2008 to 2010, when she was defeated by Republican Steven Levy. She won the 2012 election, beating Levy, and was re-elected in 2014.
Ossing is in his ninth term as a Councilor-at-Large and has served as chair of the Finance Committee for the past 10 years. He recently retired from Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plant where he was an engineer for 35 years.
Susanne Morreale Leeber, president and CEO of MRCC, served as moderator of the debate while representatives from local media asked the candidates questions. Those questions included such topics as financial savviness, accountability and transparency, how the representative would give equal
dedication to all three towns, and how best to help those Marlborough residents who have been affected by the Citgo gas spill.
Morrealle reminded viewers that the preliminary election will be on a Thursday this year (Sept. 8) as opposed to the traditional Tuesday. The winner in that election will face the Republican candidate Paul Ferro in the Tuesday, Nov. 8 general election.