Brian Ashe for Massachusetts State Representative

Our candidates for the Legislature
by The Republican
Monday October 27, 2008

State Representative Democrat Brian M. Ashe and Republican William J. Scibelli, a lawyer, both Longmeadow selectmen, are running to fill the vacancy in the 2nd Hampden District left by the retirement of Rep. Mary S. Rogeness, R-Longmeadow.

Ashe defeated Springfield City Councilor Kateri B. Walsh in the primary.

Both candidates oppose Question 1. Both are strong candidates, but our endorsement goes to Ashe, who we believe has better government experience than Scibelli. Besides serving on the Longmeadow Board of Selectmen, Ashe has served on the board of the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority.

He is familiar with the workings of the Legislature and he has pledged to help his district maintain essential services. Ashe lost a Senate race two years ago, and said that door closed and "another door opened," one that he described as a "perfect opportunity."

Today our law enforcement and public safety agencies face new tasks and challenges. From disaster help coordination to the effective responses to the enticement of children by online sexual predators our local police, fire, and emergency service personnel are being tested every day. Violence against women, Internet crimes against children and elderly, as well as natural disasters and potential acts of terrorism all require multidisciplinary agency and community involvement. We need to develop more sharing of information and intelligence across all levels of government and become more cost effective by utilizing collaborative efforts to detect and prevent threats against public safety. We must continue to be pro-active in our approach to solving crime, providing emergency services, and preventing and fighting fires. And most of all we must continue to provide our public service agencies with the support they need to maintain and improve their ability to keep our communities safe.

I am proud to accept the endorsements of the following public safety officials.

Hampden County D. A.	William Bennett
Hampden County Sheriff	Michael J. Ashe Jr.
Worcester County Sheriff	Guy Glodis
Hampden	Police Chief Jeff Farnsworth
Longmeadow	Police Chief Robert F. Siano Fire Chief Eric H. Madison
Monson	Police Chief Stephen Kozloski Fire Chief George L. Robichaud