By CHRISTOPHER ROY
Express Staff Writer

WEST GLOVER — About 50 local residents took an opportunity to question three of the five gubernatorial candidates during a question and answer session that was held after a couple of informal softball games on Sunday.

Nicole Colston, campaign manager for Sam Young for Governor, explained the “bring it to the ball field event” was supposed to bring all of the candidates together.

But the only gubernatorial candidates who attended the event were Young, Tony O’Connor and Anthony Pollina. Governor James Douglas sent members of his campaign staff to play softball, but they didn’t answer questions after the game. Democrat Gaye Symington had no representation at either the ball game nor the question and answer period. She was on her way to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Moderator Bethany Dunbar, the editor of the Chronicle, read questions that were written on index cards.
Young said the homeless problem in the state can be solved by building affordable housing.
“It's a matter of resources,” he said. “We have trees, let’s build homes.”

O’Connor, a triple amputee who has always held a job, said he does not understand how people can be homeless. He said he’s washed cars, been a social worker, worked for an amusement park, and ran the projection equipment at the former Derby Port Drive-in. But, there is nothing wrong with giving homeless people a 12-by-12 room with a shower that can be used as transitional housing, he said.
“Nobody in Vermont should be out on the street,” he said. “The best way to help the homeless is find them employment.”