As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for State Senate five questions that focused on topics affecting Marblehead. Here is Question 2: There has been talk at the local and state level of implementing greater regionalization of services. One possible area is regionalizing public safety. Do you support regionalizing public safety? Sen. Thomas McGee (D) With the economic challenges we face, it is important for communities to work together to find solutions. Communities should discuss ways in which they can come together to provide the public services…
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for State Senate five questions that focused on topics affecting Marblehead. Here is Question 2: How would repealing the alcohol tax and reducing the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 3 percent (Questions 1 and 3 on the ballot) affect Marblehead and its businesses? Are you for or against these provisions? Sen. Thomas McGee (D) I oppose ballot questions 1 and 3. Massachusetts has some of the highest alcohol and drug abuse addiction in the country. The funds from this tax are dedicated to early intervention …
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for the state Senate five questions that focused on topics affecting Marblehead. Here is Question 2: Where do you stand on the proposed law that would repeal the existing law allowing qualified organizations that want to build government-subsidized housing to apply for a single comprehensive permit from the town's Zoning Board of Appeals instead of separate permits from each agency? Sen. Thomas McGee (D) Massachusetts has some of the highest housing costs in the nation, making affordable housing one of the …
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for state Senate five questions that focused on topics affecting Marblehead. Here is Question 2: Massachusetts has some of the most wide reaching legislation when it comes to education reform and specifically, closing the achievement gap. Given Marblehead often tests in the top percentiles of the state, do you think the town could benefit from reform? What is your stance on education reform? Sen. Thomas McGee (D) Over a 13-month period, the Common Core standards were created and vetted by education experts, …
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for the state Senate five questions that focused on topics affecting Marblehead. The Candidates Sen. Thomas McGee (D) Home: Lynn Profession: Attorney Family: wife Maria, two children Education: St. John's Preparatory School Worcester Academy University of Lowell New England School of Law Democratic State Committee Member State Representative 1995-2002 State Senator 2002- current Christopher Dent (R) Age: 29 Home: Nahant Profession: Full time candidate since mid-September. Most recently employed by Genscape …
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for state tepresentative five questions that focused on topics affecting Marblehead. Here is Question 2: There has been talk at the local and state level of implementing greater regionalization of services. One possible area is regionalizing public safety. Do you support regionalizing public safety? Rep. Lori Ehrlich (D) From an 'economies of scale' perspective, regionalizing of services makes sense. When deciding what to regionalize, we must keep in mind that local government exists for a reason and that …
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for state representative five questions that focused on various topics. Here is Question 2: How would repealing the alcohol tax and reducing the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 3 percent (Questions 1 and 3 on the ballot) affect Marblehead and its businesses? Are you for or against these provisions? Rep. Lori Ehrlich (D) As the only CPA in the legislature, I understand how taxes affect us; both paying taxes as well as the critical services they provide. Lowering the sales tax to 3% will drain millions in …
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for state representative five questions that focused on topics affecting Marblehead. Here is Question 2: Where do you stand on the proposed law that would repeal the existing law allowing qualified organizations that want to build government-subsidized housing to apply for a single comprehensive permit from the town's Zoning Board of Appeals instead of separate permits from each agency? Rep. Lori Ehrlich What I have heard from my constituents regarding 40B has been mixed at best. We have had some very …
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for state representative five questions that focused on topics affecting Marblehead. Here is Question 2: Massachusetts has some of the most wide reaching legislation when it comes to education reform and specifically, closing the achievement gap. Given Marblehead often tests in the top percentiles of the state, do you think the town could benefit from reform? What is your stance on education reform? State Rep. Lori Ehrlich (D) Marblehead's educational achievements are a direct result of engaged parents, …
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for state representative five questions that focused on topics ranging from education to regionalization and from the economy to 40B housing. The Two Candidates Lori Ehrlich Town: Marblehead, where she has lived for the past 20 years. Profession: Lori's professional career as a certified public accountant spanned two-and-a-half decades, managing her own practice, before becoming state representative in 2008. Education: Swampscott High in 1981. She earned her BS in Accounting from Lehigh University in 1985. In…
Candidates for Essex County Sheriff, Republican incumbent Sheriff Frank Cousins, Democratic challenger Damian Anketell and Independent challenger Kevin Leach answer questions from Patch. Question 5 In the current economy the budget is bound to continue to be tight. What are your top priority areas where the sheriff's department should spend money? When cuts come down, what areas would you cut first? Sheriff Frank Cousins (R) My philosophy is to rehabilitate prisoners. Even in these difficult economic times we have committed to keeping programs in place that continue to reduce our rate of …
Candidates for Essex County Sheriff, Republican incumbent Sheriff Frank Cousins, Democratic challenger Damian Anketell and Independent challenger Kevin Leach answer questions from Patch. Question 4 In the current economy the budget is bound to continue to be tight. What are your top priority areas where the sheriff's department should spend money? When cuts come down, what areas would you cut first? Sheriff Frank Cousins (R) Since February of 2009, we have successfully managed coping with a 12.6 percent cut in our operational budget. We have implemented a number of cost saving ideas/…
Candidates for Essex County Sheriff, Republican incumbent Sheriff Frank Cousins, Democratic challenger Damian Anketell and Independent challenger Kevin Leach answer questions from Patch. Question 3 The Middleton House of Correction is overcrowded. In your opinion, how bad is that problem? And what would you do about it? Sheriff Frank Cousins (R) Incarceration is a serious problem in this country and we have many innovative and aggressive programs to reduce recidivism and we are proud that the Middleton House of Correction is a nationally accredited facility. Damian Anketell (D) …
Candidates for Essex County Sheriff, Republican incumbent Sheriff Frank Cousins, Democratic challenger Damian Anketell and Independent challenger Kevin Leach answer questions from Patch. What ways do you, or would you, have the Sherriff's Department reach out to the communities in Essex County? Sheriff Frank Cousins (R) The Essex County Sheriff's Department provides community services programs that save thousands to municipalities every year; our TRIAD program is active in 32 of the 34 communities within the County and our Youth Leadership Academy served over 750 school aged children this …
Candidates for Essex County Sheriff, Republican incumbent Sheriff Frank Cousins, Democratic challenger Damian Anketell and Independent challenger Kevin Leach answer questions from Patch. The Candidates Name: Damian Anketell Age: 38 Family: wife, Lori Education: Bachelor's in Science degree in Political Science, concentration in Public Law Previous elected office: None Employer: Atlantic Weatherization Town: Peabody Favorite place in the county: Hobbs at Salem Willows Name: Frank G. Cousins, Jr. Age: 52 Family: son, Gardner Education: Master's Degree in Human Services, Springfield College …
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for the Congress in the Sixth Congressional District five questions that focused on topics ranging from the economy and the deficit to war and terrorism. Here is Question 5: If the opposing party has a majority in the 112th Congress, how will you work with the other party? John Tierney (D) I have a record of working to find common ground with my Republican colleagues whenever possible in order to improve legislation and conduct effective oversight. I have done so in education legislation, oversight actions …
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for the Congress in the Sixth Congressional District five questions that focused on topics ranging from the economy and the deficit to war and terrorism. Here is Question 4: How will you vote regarding repealing the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy with gay military personnel? John Tierney (D) I support repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." There is evidence of significant support for repeal both in the military community and among the public. While we must ensure that repeal will not impact our strong …
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for the Congress in the Sixth Congressional District five questions that focused on topics ranging from the economy and the deficit to war and terrorism. Here is Question 3: How do you think America should proceed in Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism? John Tierney (D) I have consistently said that a smaller, not larger military footprint in Afghanistan would be the better policy for our troops, our national security, and our country. Evolving our military role in Afghanistan into a sustainable, …
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for the Congress in the Sixth Congressional District five questions that focused on topics ranging from the economy and the deficit to war and terrorism. Here is Question 2: Massachusetts still has an 8 percent unemployment rate. How would you bring jobs to the Bay State? John Tierney (D) Since January 2009, we have moved from a (-6.4 percent) economic "growth" rate to a positive rate and went from losing 8 million jobs from 2001-2008 to adding private sector jobs over the last nine months. We still have a…
As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for the Congress in the Sixth Congressional District five questions that focused on topics ranging from the economy and the deficit to war and terrorism. Here is Question 1: How would you address our federal budget deficit and national debt? John Tierney (D) The federal government, just like families, must rein in and prioritize spending. Just as $61 billion of tax payer money is going to be saved by eliminating special interest lenders from the college loan process, we need to explore all potential ways to …
