Thomas Keyes: MA 2020 Primary Candidate Profile

SANDWICH, MA — Massachusetts' 5th Barnstable District has been represented by Republican Randy Hunt for the past nine years, but with Hunt not seeking re-election, Thomas Keyes is one of two Republicans vying for the seat.

Keyes is a native of the 5th Barnstable District who served as a Sandwich selectmen for six years. Other experience includes serving on the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates and the Economic Development Committee.

Keyes is not the only Republican trying to replace Hunt. Steven Xiarhos is also running for the seat. Patch has asked both Xiarhos and Keyes to answer our candidate questionnaires ahead of the Sept. 1 Democratic primary.

Here's how Keyes answered our questionnaire:

Age (as of Election Day)

53

Family

Married for 24 years to Melissa, 2 daughters, Madelynn 14 and Julia 10

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Studied at Northeastern University

Occupation

Self employed 22 years, Keyes Quality Systems in Consulting, Ethics & Compliance, Executive Contracts, Auditing

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

 Sandwich Board of Selectmen, 2002 – 2008, Chairman 2 years.
 Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates, 2008 – 2011, Deputy Speaker 2 years.
 Economic Development Committee, 1998 – 2002, Chairman 2 years.
 Governor’s Appointee to the Rail Committee – 1999
 Water Quality Review Committee – 6 years
 Selectman Liaison to the Economic Development Committee – 6 years
 Cemetery Commission – 6 years
 Assembly of Delegates Standing Committee on Economic Affairs – 3 years
 Selectmen and Councilors’ Association – Director 4 years,President 2 years
 Municipal Association’s Selectmen & Councilors’ Association Member – 2 years
 Member of the 21st Century Taskforce to draft operational changes to the Cape Cod Commission
 Board of Trustees, Sandwich Glass Museum & Historical Society – 6 years

Campaign website

votetomkeyes.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

My business, municipal and regional background and experiences makes me uniquely qualified to step into the position ready to get to work. But the Covid 19 pandemic has changed everything and now my background allows me to work on getting business back up and running to create jobs and with my budget experience I can ensure the communities of the 5th Barnstable District aren't short changed in State Aide for the municipal and school budgets.

How would you rate the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic on a letter-grade scale (A, B, C, D or F), and how would you explain that rating?

Overall, I would give a grade of D. We had a complete failure in the nursing homes and at the Holyoke Soldiers Home where we saw most of the deaths. Once the shutdown started, there was no plan to help our economy recover. Even today there is no plan to help small businesses and that’s why we are number one in unemployment in the nation. As the next State Representative, I have a plan to help safely revive our economy and increase job growth.

Is Chapter 40B, the state's affordable housing law, working, and if not what would you change?

I believe there is a way to adjust 40B to serve more families that are income eligible. Currently 40B applies only to new developments. In the early 2000s while on the Sandwich Board of Selectmen we worked out a deal with a new high end development where we took the cash value of the land that was required to be set aside for 40B, which in this case was roughly $1M, and contracted with Housing Assistance Corp to apply the money to buy down existing homes for sale to get them to an affordable level. Originally this developer was required to develop three lots for three families, but this buy down program allowed us to get 9 or 10 eligible families into quality homes at affordable prices.

What steps, if any, should the state take toward police reform?

I am against the Police Reform bill. Our local police are not responsible for the death of George Floyd and it is wrong to treat them as if they were. I believe that our state is heading in the wrong direction when it comes to law enforcement. We cannot have district attorneys choosing not to prosecute on certain crimes. It is going to lead to more violence on the streets.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Reviving the economy, growing jobs, stopping licenses for illegal immigrants, stopping gas tax increases, trimming the budget are other important issues. Here is my plan to help the small business community that creates the majority of new jobs:
1. Allow businesses to submit a plan to safely reopen
2. Require one year notice before increasing fees and taxes
3. Require a small business representative on all business task forces
4. Lower the corporate filing fee for first time businesses
5. Require the legislature to hold public hearings around the state on all proposed tax increases
6. Limit treble damages to willful actions
7. Require a one year adjustment period for all new regulations
8. Allow businesses to have 10 working days to fix any broken regulations or laws after an state government inspection

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

 I am the only candidate with business experience who can help revive the economy.
 I am the only candidate with a plan to help small businesses put people back to work.
 I am the only candidate who opposes licenses for illegal immigrants.
 I am the only candidate with municipal experience and who knows how to balance a budget.
 I am the only candidate who opposes the TCI gas tax increase.
 I am the only candidate with a proven track record in saving taxpayer money.
 I am the only candidate who has pledged NOT to raise your taxes.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

This is an open seat.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have served on the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates and as a Sandwich Selectman. I have also served on numerous boards and committees including: Water Quality Review Committee, Sandwich Economic Development Committee, Cemetery Commission, Assembly of Delegates Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, the 21st Century Taskforce to review the Cape Cod Commission and draft operational changes, President of the Cape Cod Selectmen and Councilors’ Association and Board of Directors, and member of the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Selectmen and Councilors Association.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

From my Spanish teacher Dr. Sagala, "It pays to stop and think a while before you go ahead, for after pausing in some thought you may go back instead." I certainly didn't appreciate it in my youth as he was drilling it in my head, but it weathered nicely and I recite that poem frequently both in my head and to my daughters.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I'm most proud of being married to Melissa and the family we've created. We have two wonderful daughters who inspire me every day to make a positive difference for our community.