23 Days to Election Day!

As a lot of you know Jack, Andy and I have been running HQ for the  Jim Cantwell campaign.   Jim needs your help in the next 23 days to make this election a success!  Speaking of "Success" we are asking you to set aside an hour or two this week to come to the Jim Cantwell Campaign Headquarters, in the Success! Real Estate Building on Rte 139.  (It is the 1st building on your left as you enter Marshfield from Pembroke, the last building on your right as you leave Marshfield on Rte 139)

As a former selectman and state Senate legislative aide, I see the following areas where the Legislature can increase local aid:

· Encouraging efficiencies in state government. As your representative, I will fight for efficient use of our tax dollars. We did this in Marshfield in the 1990s for local government. As a former selectman chairman, I am proud to have been part of a team that reined in local spending, improved our bond rating and prioritized conservative budgeting, helping Marshfield build a $10 million stabilization account, all while providing excellent local services. 

· Helping the economy grow. Economic growth translates into increased tax revenue, helping pay for items locally that our society recognizes as significant: our fire, police, schools, senior services and others.

The Jim Cantwell Committee is reminding folks this week that there are less than thirty days left until the State Primary on September 16.  Folks can register to vote until August 27, and must be registered as a Democrat or Unenrolled voter in order to participate in the Democratic Primary.  For more information call the Cantwell Campaign at 781-834-9908

Jim is pleased to announce that Rick Murray, Chair of the Scituate Board of Selectmen, has formally endorsed the Campaign this week, joining former Selectmen Susan Phippen, Jim Pollard, and Constantine Constantinides as former Scituate Selectmen helping the campaign.  On the Marshfield side Jim Robinson, Marshfield's long-time Moderator and former Selectman, has added his support for Cantwell, along with former Selectmen Doug Heald, Dick Levin, and Sheila Gagnon.

The Cantwell Campaign has start putting up lawns signs all over town as you may have already seen. Lawn signs are a great way for us to help boost visibility.  If you live near an intersection or at  a well-traveled location that would be suitable for a lawn sign please let us know. Send an email to volunteer@jimcantwell.com letting us know it's okay. Please make sure to include your name, address and any special instructions (i.e. don't trample the rosebushes!) We do have a limited number of signs so please don't delay. Thank you.

“What, if anything, can the state legislature do to help towns increase the amount of affordable housing?”

The State Legislature needs to begin by seriously modifying the current housing statute known as 40B.  Designed to provide affordable housing it has, instead, created a weapon misused by some developers: local zoning ordinances are circumvented, tremendous profits reaped, and adequate affordable housing units not provided.  The State’s Inspector General, Gregory Sullivan, after conducting numerous investigations into abuse of the 40B statute, concluded 40B is a “pig fest” for some unscrupulous developers.

Question of the Week:  If elected what will my priorities be?

If elected to office my first priority will be to continue the tremendous service and personal dedication that have been trademarks of Frank Hynes. Like Mr. Hynes, I will be available:  folks will know where to reach me.  Recognizing that the cost of gas, the headache of increased traffic, and time constraints of daily life make it troublesome for folks to visit the State House, I will do something new for this area, and open a district Representative’s office.  Residents can meet with me closer to home, discuss their personal concerns and share their ideas.  I will also meet with senior citizens in our communities at the two senior centers, and host “office hours” at each of the two Town Halls.  I will continue to publish my personal phone number -- 781 837-1960 – and my e-mail  -- so  people can contact me directly with their needs, questions, and ideas.