C9 Hosts Legislative Panel

Central Mass. business and community leaders last Thursday heard their legislators' views on several issues.

The Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce's legislative breakfast drew 240 people to the Doubletree by Hilton-Boston Westborough, chamber President Barbara Clifford told the crowd.

The panel included U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Worcester), state Reps. Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston), George Peterson Jr. (R-Grafton), Harold Naughton Jr. (D-Clinton), Matthew Beaton (R-Shrewsbury) and Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough); and state Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester) and Michael Moore (D-Millbury). Mark Donahue of Fletcher Tilton, P.C., served as moderator.

Donohue called the turnout "a testament to you to how seriously you take the public policy issues that we're going to be talking about today."

"Whether you agree with the governor or not, what's important is that our challenges have become the subject of meaningful dialogue instead of just hyperbole," Donohue said.

"I think forums like this play an important part in public dialogue."