Letters to the Editor In Support of Caroline Colarusso

STONEHAM, MA — The following are letters to the editor of Stoneham Patch in support of Stoneham Selectwoman and candidate for State Representative Caroline Colarusso. The views expressed below are those of the authors.

Dear Editor,

I write in enthusiastic and wholehearted support of my friend Caroline Colarusso who seeks to become our next State Representative. Two years ago Caroline promised that if elected she’d serve the people and not be pawn of her party on Beacon Hill. She promised to support legislation good for the district and its citizens regardless of the source. She fell less than 1% short then, but brought her energy and purposefulness to local government as the most effective selectwoman in Stoneham in decades. She will bring the same proven caliber and amazing energy as our representative.

Since elected, Caroline has held weekly office hours addressing first-hand constituents’ requests and needs. She has overseen the wholesale clean-up of wasteful town spending, saving the Stoneham taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars while improving services. She saved Stoneham resources in the water and sewer overlay account that was being spent on other budgetary outlays, reducing the amount of the water and sewer rates in Stoneham. She spearheaded efforts to reduce the trash fee for every resident. She vocally and proactively opposes the behemoth 40B developments in Stoneham and Winchester. When Stoneham’s trash hauler faltered, it was Caroline who led the effort to determine the problem’s cause and successfully worked to rectify the matter. She has been there for us because she really sees how to address the needs of her constituents within the purview of her office.

If elected, she will continue that type of leadership. She will be a powerful advocate for the taxpayer and for those who need government’s help. We won’t get a partisan loyalist who will vote against a bill because it’s sponsored by the opposing party but then vote for virtually the same bill once sponsored by hers. She’ll use the funds allocated for her to open a constituent office where she will continue her proven system of offering to meet her constituents directly. Many who voted for her opponent two years ago have pledged their support because of her leadership skills, personal integrity and honesty. This time they have it right.

I urge you to vote for Caroline Colarusso on Nov. 8.

George Georgountzos

Fieldstone Drive, Stoneham

Dear Editor,

Representative Day just doesn't get it. He is supposed to work for the people. He has his signs out a gas station that was breaking the law by being opened all night. It was terrible for the neighbors who lived in the area. There were deliveries during the middle of the night. Customers playing loud music. The list of disturbances was quite long. He did nothing about it. Luckily Caroline Colarusso and the other members of the Board of Selectmen said enough!

Now Mr. Day puts his signs at the gas station. It is a slap in the face to every neighbor. It says to us that the person who writes Day the biggest check gets his support.

Nancy Howard

Green St.

Stoneham

Dear Editor,

On Thursday night at the Candidate’s Forum in Stoneham, Representative Day tried to blame the Weiss Farm and Forrest Ridge on the respective town Boards of Selectman. Stoneham and Winchester Boards of Selectmen did not fail to stop these projects. The Stoneham and Winchester Boards of Selectmen CANNOT stop these outrageous projects because Boards of Selectman cannot stop these projects that are being built under the state’s chapter 40B law. The selectmen have no jurisdiction. Chapter 40(B) is a state law not a local ordinance. Either he doesn’t understand the law or he is trying to mislead the public. Rep Day is a full time lawyer. I guess he knows the law.

Last year May 2015, Selectwoman Caroline Colarusso along with other board members urged Rep. Day to file legislation to remedy the problem. In the 17 months since that meeting, Rep. Day has NOT filed ANY bills or amendments. Rep Day has taken no responsibility and failed to do his job. His solution is to blame others.

I want to stop the Weiss Farm and Forest Ridge projects. I am taking the action by writing this letter and I am crossing party lines to vote for Caroline Colarusso.

Linda Hanson

To the Editor:

I had no idea. While I support equal rights for everyone, I had no idea about the amendments to the bathroom bill that were rejected. I was appalled to learn that Representative Michael Day voted against keeping Level 2 and 3 sex offenders out of women’s locker rooms. Rep. Day also voted against allowing parents to accompany their children into the bathroom if they were worried. Rep. Day also voted to allow boys to use a girls locker room. These were all common sense public safety measures. Mr. Day let us all down, and in particular my mother, my wife, and my daughter. He has had his chance.

I am supporting Caroline Colarusso for State Representative. She made a lot of sense to me in the Stoneham Cable TV Candidates’ Forum the other night. She was correct in wanting to keep boys out of girls locker rooms where there are showers. She also supported prohibiting sex offenders from taking advantage of the law - which seems obvious!

Rob Lehmann

Green Street

Stoneham

Image via the office of Caroline Colarusso