I’ve been looking at the questions, and honestly, some of them feel way too soft. Any seasoned politician can answer them with surface-level talking points. If that happens, voters will tune out the moment they answer and not even watch the entire debate. 

If we actually want civic engagement (and maybe even a clip or two that sparks attention online), I think we need sharper questions that force candidates to show their values and decision-making. 

Here are a few I came up with:

•	If the mayor “strongly suggests” a contractor, how do you balance that pressure with your duty to taxpayers? Can current councilors explain their research process? New councilors can explain their rationale into coming into a decision.

•	Assess the current city auditor’s performance. Quincy lost $3.5M from the pension fund via phishing email. She was in charge when it happened. City official embezzlement from the elderly and taxpayers. Also in charge when it was whistleblown, how is she doing? Also, is it effective to let the mayor choose who audits him? Or is it better for taxpayers for an independent audit firm. 

•	term limits? Yay or nay?

•	The mayor’s raise made national headlines. Do you believe city leadership should get raises that outpace teachers? Has any thought been given to the ramifications to the city budget considering it’s a lifetime pension, or if a new mayor comes in and does a bad job? 

•	The mayor recently created a new job position not open to the public. Should all city jobs be required to be posted publicly for 30 days? 

•	When the mayor creates a new job position, how would you establish if it meets the needs of the community? How do you keep hiring practices fair?

•	Developers donate heavily in local elections often to the same candidates. Can you define conflicts of interest in your own words, and how do you ensure there are no conflicts of interest?

•Can you chime in on the recent granite links associates 50 year lease extension? Are you supportive of bids? Or you want to grant them it? If yes, have they donated to your campaign?

•	on the topic of raises again, can you explain why yay? If nay, what would you do with the money instead?

•	Groupthink is a challenge in many longstanding organizations and have led to their downfall. How do you ensure you are not voting just to agree?

•	Quincy turnout hovers around 25%, less than 10% in the recent preliminary. What’s one bold idea you’d propose to increase turnout?

•	What is one major improvement you have for the city that you will champion in your next two year term? 

•	Why should the public vote for you over the other candidates?

Feel free to add more by Sunday. I’m going to email the debate organizers to see if they can modify. 


We need better debate questions if we want improved civic engagement.