Three vie for Governor's Council seat

Candidates for the District 3 Governor's Council seat last night defended the usefulness of the council and touted their abilities to adequately approve judicial nominees.

Incumbent Governor's Councilor Marilyn Devaney and challengers Waltham resident John "Jack" Doyle and Watertown Fire Lt. Thomas Walsh squared off in a televised debate which served as a prelude to the Sept. 16 Democratic primary. District 3 is comprised of Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Worcester counties.

Devaney has held the post since 1998. She touted her experience and said she wasn't afraid to "take a stand" especially when it comes to approving judges and members of the state Parole Board.

Devaney pointed to one example when she said fought against a reappointment of a member to the Parole Board.

"I didn't do the politically expedient thing, I did the right thing," Devaney said.

Doyle, who is making his first run for public office, said he had gotten to know the ins and outs of the court system thoroughly while handling medical malpractice cases. He previously worked in the insurance industry at Tufts Medical Center.

Doyle said his past experience would serve him well when appointing judges.

"It's a position I think I'm well qualified for," Doyle said.

Walsh said he wanted to bring more openness and transparency to the council and even set up an internship program to "vet these judges more appropriately."

"It is critical that we vet them with the most scrutiny that we can bring to bear," Walsh said.

The debate was mostly a civil affair until a brief contentious exchange between Devaney and Walsh. Walsh made reference to an incident in 2007 when Devaney was accused of throwing a bagged curling iron at a store clerk in Waltham.

Walsh said he did not "condone " Devaney's alleged behavior.

Devaney, who is also a Watertown councilor, quickly asked the moderator, "Is that going to be allowed, is that going to be cut out?

The moderator, Debbie Winnick, asked that candidates refrain from any "personal attacks" and stick with the questions. Devaney was charged with assault and battery in connection with the incident. To end the case against her, Devaney agreed to write a letter of apology to the clerk and submit to nine months of probation. Doyle and Walsh said that when they were out campaigning they found that many people didn't know what the Governor's Council did.

Doyle said he did not agree with the notion that the Governor's Council should be eliminated.

Doyle said that without the council judicial candidates might be left to try to get "signatures at supermarket" to get appointed.

"I've never heard anyone come up with a better way than they way it's being done now," Doyle said.

Devaney agreed.

"It might not be a perfect system, but I don't know one I would trade it for," she said.

Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.