Gubernatorial debate: Vermont style

The first of Vermont's gubernatorial debates for the 2008 election cycle will be held in just three days, complete with a picnic and party to complement the political face-off.

The debate, which is cosponsored by the Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC), American Flatbread, and Vermont Localvores, begins at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday and will be held at the Lareau Farm in Waitsfield. All three major gubernatorial candidates, Gov. Jim Douglas (R-Middlebury), House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho), and Anthony Pollina (Progressive-Middlesex) are slated to participate, and environmental issues and food policy will dominate the forum.

But after the back and forth of the debate, the constituents and candidates will indulge in a dinner of local food and free Ben and Jerry's ice cream, while enjoying the jazz music of Anthony Santor trio.

"It's a Vermont-style debate," said Robin McDermott, co-founder of Mad River Valley Localvores. She said that holding a political debate solely focused on food had been on her mind for over a year.

George Schenk, owner and founder of American Flatbread, said the idea for a debate centered around environmental and food policy took form because he felt those issues were slipping through the cracks, despite Vermonters' high interest in them. He teamed up with the VNRC and the Localvores, then reached out to non-profit organizations around the state, who all contributed suggestions for debate questions regarding each candidate's position on environmental and food issues.

"This debate will focus on issues Vermonters care about: Creating walkable, vibrant communities, building a strong homegrown food and farming system, keeping our farms and forests productive and wild, and reducing the growing burden of energy costs on Vermonters by expanding efficiency and renewable energy opportunities," said Elizabeth Courtney, VNRC's executive director, in a recent statement.

And though audience members will not be able to submit questions, they will be able to write down their thoughts and comments and speak to the gubernatorial candidates at the picnic following the debate.

"Debates are about expression and celebration of our self-governance," Schenk said. "One way we all come together is around food, so it seemed natural to have a picnic afterwards."

Both Schenk and McDermott emphasized that the purpose of the debate was to educate voters, so an informal gathering after the event seemed to be perfect for allowing Vermonters easy access to Douglas, Pollina and Symington. Every candidate's campaign will have an information booth - along with the Vermont Democratic, Republican, and Progressive parties and various non-profit organizations - to better explain their ideas and platforms.

"It's really important to be able to process the information you get," McDermott said. "It just makes sense that people should be able to talk about the debates afterward."

Lisabeth Magoun, innkeeper of the Lareua Farm Inn, said that she had been receiving many calls about the debate, and anticipates somewhere between 300 and 400 guests to attend.