Independent Douglas Gablinske and Democrat Susan Donovan squared off in a public forum Tuesday night in Bristol, one week before voters decide who will earn a seat in the House of Representatives, District 69.

The forum, sponsored by the Rhode Island League of Women Voters, East Bay Newspapers, Full Channel and the East Bay Chamber of Commerce, drew a packed crowd to the Bristol State House and gave each a chance to speak on their platform, which in some cases varies widely:

“Like many of you, I’m fed up with partisan politics,” Mr. Gablinske, a former representative in District 68, said. “The parties have left no room to compromise. It is really stopping progress and stopping democracy. I’m running as an Independent because I believe doing what’s right … overrules answering to any party.”

“I believe we need people truly committed to public service,” said Ms. Donovan. As a legislator, “I’ve seen firsthand how high-paid lobbyists have all the access to a powerful few. Some people call me a political extremist; I say nonsense. I believe everyone should have access to affordable health care … college without crippling debt (and) sensible gun laws.”

“I’m running to bring transparency and positivity to the Statehouse.”

On charter schools and vouchers:

“I support charter schools,” Mr. Gablinske said. “They’re meant to be incubators for ideas.”
Ms. Donovan, a former school teacher, does not hold the same views.

“When we fund charter schools, we take resources away from the local school district. Participation in a charger school is usually determined by a lottery. No child should have to win a lottery to get an education.”

On whether Rhode Island should be a sanctuary state?

“Yes,” Ms. Donovan said. “That doesn’t mean that we don’t go after criminals, immigrants who are criminals. I don’t believe that you should be rounding up families, separating families for no reason.

“I oppose Rhode Island being a sanctuary state and I oppose Providence being a sanctuary city,” Mr. Gablinske said. Speaking recently to seniors at Franklin Court, many of them immigrants from Portugal, helped solidify his position, he said. “Bristol has a proud history of immigrants coming to his town. (Franklin Court residents) absolutely oppose illegal immigration. That is also what I support.”

On fighting substance abuse here:

“Depression, in my mind, is the biggest issue facing our children and adults,” Mr. Gablinske said. “I think because it stays underground (and) it’s not talked about. I think that’s one of the greatest problems.”

“The war on drugs has been an abject failure,” Ms. Donovan said.

On universal health care:

“I think we need to strengthen the ACA,” Ms. Donovan said. “It’s under attack right now. I think that Rhode Island needs to pass legislation so that we shore it up so that no one loses their coverage.”

“I do not support it,” Mr. Gablinske said. “It’s a very expensive proposition. We should keep protecting Obamacare.”

On climate change and sea level rise

“It’s certainly apparent that climate change is happening,” Mr. Gablinske said. “Here in Rhode Island we pay the third-highest cost of energy in the country. We can’t get off of fossil fuels anytime soon, but we don’t need oil and we don’t need coal. We do need central gas-powered generation. We do need the Burrillville power plant. That is the only way we can transfer (from) where we are today.”

“Rhode Island has hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline,” Ms. Donovan said. “It’s going to hit our communities the most. The resiliency of our infrastructure … roads and bridges … they’re all at risk. We need to protect the environment with common sense legislation (and) invest in renewables.”

On reducing gun violence

“Everyone needs to feel safe,” Ms. Donovan said. “We need continue to pass common sense gun regulation without infringing on people’s Second Amendment rights.”

“The first (change) should be that the Rhode Island Attorney General be the only issuer of a blue card, instead of DEM. That makes no sense to me,” Mr. Gablinske said. “I would propose that all gun purchasers have to be 21 years or older. There has to be a locker system in each house.”

Final thoughts

Speaking of his record in District 68, Mr. Gablinske said his legislation was key to stopping an LNG terminal in Fall River, helped strengthen drunken driving laws to allow for drawing of blood from suspects without their consent, and helped make Hope Street safer and easier to traverse.

“I will be concentrating on what’s important to the district,” he said. “The number one concern I hear is Metacom Avenue. It is the gateway into town. I’ll do the same thing that I did on Hope Street, which was to be the squeaky wheel to get downtown Hope Street fixed.”

“I’m committed to quality schools and safe roadways, ensuring our seniors are well-cared for and responding to the opioid crisis,” Ms. Donovan said. “We deserve a government that works (and is) open and honest.”