Lessons Learned by Angering People at Candidates’ Night

The week of October 10 through 14, MassLandlords inadvertently angered both landlords and state legislators in connection with the Worcester and Springfield candidates’ nights. This brief article will cover the lessons learned by angering people at Candidates’ Night.

From left to right, candidates for 17th Worcester Kate Campanale and Moses Dixon listen to a question posed by MassLandlords moderator Rich Merlino at the start of the event.

The events, which drew participation from ten candidates for state office and roughly 100 business owners, were held October 12 and 13 in Worcester and Springfield. Participants were angry for different reasons.

Two candidates, speaking separately and off-the-record, were upset that invitations did not show the proper respect to incumbents, who they felt deserved to be incorporated in event scheduling. Other candidates expressed extreme disappointment with the restrictions placed on on-camera signage.

Attendees in the Worcester audience remained civil throughout, but attendance dropped sharply as the event progressed. Of those who remained, half turned in negative feedback cards.

One Worcester feedback card read, “It made everyone frustrated to hear how uneducated our candidates are and not to be able to educate them.”

Landlord-tenant law in Massachusetts is byzantine and in many cases counter-intuitive. Several candidates suggested solutions that were not allowed under the law.

One feedback card said, “Answers showed naiveté.” Another read, “Shocking! Stunning!”

Candidates were issued three-page briefings prior to the event. Five candidates stated that they had not read the briefing prior to attending.

The other half of Worcester feedback was positive, centering mostly around supportive comments toward organizers and the candidates’ effort. One card read, “Candidates did do a decent job.”

Feedback in Springfield was 100% positive, thanks to a last-minute format change. Executive Director Doug Quattrochi started by presenting a PowerPoint briefing to candidates and attendees. Candidates took less time themselves so that attendees could share “horror stories.”

One Springfield feedback card read, “Very well organized and informative. Intro very well done.”

Another Springfield card read, “This was my first time attending. This was very informative and very focused on subject. I would recommend this group to landlords!”
Topics discussed at both events included the “free rent trick,” late fees, and move-and-store, among others.

Executive Director Doug Quattrochi said, “Next time we will probably have all candidates sit together on a single panel so that we don’t repeat questions one race to the next. Starting with a presentation in Springfield was definitely the right thing to do, and the horror stories from the members added a lot.”

Videos of the event can be viewed online at MassLandlords.net/events/candidates-night-2016.