Finn, Wong spar on guns, education funding

WAKEFIELD – From education funding to gun control to health care, state Rep. Donald Wong and challenger Christopher Finn squared off for the first time Wednesday night, barely a month before the 9th Essex District election.Finn, a Democrat, explained that the Chapter 70 formula for allocating education funding is broken. He said that there have been discussions about changing it since 2007, however, it is seven years later and nothing has happened.”The Chapter 70 formula does need to be overhauled to make it more equitable,” said Finn.He pointed out that the additional funds could be used for after-school activities and drug prevention. A graduate of the Saugus High School Class of 2003, Finn said that a number of his fellow graduates have become involved with drug use when it could have been completely avoided.”It’s certainly a crisis at this point,” he said.In response to the Chapter 70 issue, Wong, a Republican, cited the recent formation of the Chapter 70 Foundation Budget Study Group that will work to refine state education funding. Wong added that the group is required to report its progress to the state House of Representatives every two years.”He’s had four years to do this,” said Finn.On the issue of gun control, Finn said Wong voted against the passage of a House bill that aimed to reduce gun violence.”His vote on that gun bill was a vote to put a gun in the hand of a criminal,” he said.Wong answered that Finn was mistaken.”I did vote for the gun bill,” said Wong.The incumbent representative also called attention to his perfect attendance record on Beacon Hill, adding that he has voted on every bill that has come before the House.”We need full-time reps,” said Wong.However, Finn reminded Wong that a state representative needs to do much more than just come into the office on time.”It’s not just showing up for work,” he said. “I don’t think that’s what the job is.”On the local level, Finn spoke about the current situation regarding suspended Town Manager Scott Crabtree. He explained that such controversies and lopsided votes can be averted by having staggered town elections.”Saugus has a history of instability,” he said. “We need stability in Saugus.”Wong said that nothing should happen until all the information has been disclosed.”Get all the information first before you make a judgment,” he said.In terms of health care, the two candidates agreed that Partners HealthCare needs to be stopped before it closes Union Hospital in Lynn.Finn said this was a good example of why zoning changes need to happen on Route 1. He explained that in doing so, a health care facility could be built in Saugus in the event Union was to close.”We need infrastructure improvements,” said Finn, adding that Route 1 is “the gateway to the North Shore.”Wong said closing Union would create a considerable hardship for Saugus and Lynn residents.”Lynn has 92,000 registered people, Saugus has 26,000,” he said.Wong added that sending patients to Salem Hospital could end up costing lives simply because of the increased distance.”If it rains, you might need a boat because half the roads are flooded,” he said.The second and final debate is scheduled for Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Saugus Town Hall.