An open letter to the residents of the 2nd Hampden District:
I am running for State Representative in the 2nd Hampden district on the Democratic ticket.  This position provides an opportunity to solve problems that are common to many cities and towns.  Having a passion for public service, my work has been in the public sector. I have been employed by the Hampden County Sheriff's Department for over 15 years and truly enjoy helping in any capacity that I am capable. Having been involved in politics as far back as I can remember, I continuously find myself involved at one level or another. In 2001, I decided to run for the Select Board in the Town of Longmeadow. I am now in my 8th year on the Board and find myself wanting to become more involved again. Having a full time job as well as serving on the Board sometimes makes it difficult to do everything that I would like to do for the community. As the State Representative in the 2nd Hampden District, I would be able to work full time without having the distraction or time constraints of another job. I would be a full time State Representative.

Being a 3-term Longmeadow Select Board member, a Pioneer Valley Transit Authority Advisory Board member, and former Metropolitan Planning Organization member, I understand the key issues facing the 2nd Hampden district. This district faces the issues of most suburban districts in the state with an over-reliance on property taxes and only limited income from other sources. At the same time, these towns and the City of Springfield face the same challenges as every municipality: rising health insurance costs, skyrocketing energy costs, modern educational demands, and an aging infrastructure of roads, bridges, and water and sewer systems.

Other issues are unique to a particular city or town. The Forest Park historic district, one of the most beautiful parts of Springfield, needs more police presence to fight the ever growing gang problem along with drugs and prostitution that have slowly crept around that area. For the towns of Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Hampden and Monson, the state formula for local aid needs to be looked at to make sure that the monies are being distributed in a fair and equitable way. Both Longmeadow and Hampden/Wilbraham are in negotiations with the Mass School Building Authority for new or substantially renovated high schools. Obtaining adequate state aid will be a challenge. Monson struggles with the casino issue as their neighbor Palmer is looking into the possibility of making it a reality. Although this may bring many jobs to the area and it would keep money here instead of Connecticut, it would also bring crime, poverty and overcrowding in its wake.

These are just a few of the issues in the district. As a member of the Select Board in Longmeadow I understand the financial constraints that our towns are facing. As an Advisory Board member of the PVTA and a MPO member I understand our transportation needs as well as high traffic areas that affect our region. As a coach, a neighbor, a father and a husband I understand people and the importance of good communication.

One of the things I have learned in my work for the town and the region is that there is only so much that can be done at the local level. State policies, procedures and budget practices affect every community in the district – and we are a long way from Boston. We are all aware of the financial difficulties of Springfield, but the city has come a long way toward financial stability in the last few years. The functioning of city government has been modernized and streamlined. Hard choices and innovative ideas have revitalized Springfield and restored the confidence and pride not only of the city’s residents but of the surrounding communities. Springfield needs to continue on the path to financial stability so that eventually there will be no need for the Control Board. There needs to be a plan in place with a time line and attainable goals to be reached and accomplished. I look forward to working with the statehouse delegation that has helped forge the city-state partnership. Springfield’s success is a win for the whole region.

Born and raised in Springfield’s Forest Park area, I have lived in the heart of the district, Longmeadow, for over 15 years. With all my friends and family scattered across the other towns in the district, I feel I know this district very well. Now in my 8th year on the Select Board, I have served as chair twice. My time on the Select Board has been a time of great change that has been both challenging and rewarding. The new Home Rule Charter reorganized the government and its operations. The largest public works project ever undertaken in Longmeadow was begun and completed. An agreement was reached with the Department of Environmental Protection concerning the sensitive wetland meadows along the river.

I have learned a great deal about the possibilities and the limitations of town government having worked on policies and projects on a regional level. I have been an Advisory Board member for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority for the past 8 years and also served on the Metropolitan Planning Organization for over 3 years, a position which covered the entire 2nd Hampden district. I represented the large towns in the Pioneer Valley as we studied and voted on Federal transportation projects for now and the next few years to come. I was fortunate enough to be able to work with Senator Brewer and Monson Select Person Kathleen Norbut on a project to develop and finish Lower Hampden Road in Monson. This project had been put on the backburner for nearly 10 years but with good communication, effective listening and courage to make the right decision at the right time we were able to make this happen. I am proud to have been a part of this important project. This is one example of how my work now reflects the type of State Representative I will be. I am most comfortable working with the public and my years of experience with the Sheriff’s Department, coaching many sports, being a father, a husband and a member of the Select Board in Longmeadow have qualified me for this position.

I respectfully request your vote on Tuesday, November 4th.