A Few Minutes With ... State Rep. Jim Miceli

has served in the State Legislature for 34 years. His 19th Middlesex District includes portions of Tewksbury and Wilmington.

Recently, Miceli took time to answer a few questions from Tewksbury Patch correspondent Bill Deignan.

Patch Correspondent Bill Deignan: Which committees are you presently serving on?

Rep. Jim Miceli: I presently serve on the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business.  I also serve on the Joint committee on elder Affairs and the House Committee on Post Audit and Oversight.

Patch: Please share your background with the readers.

Miceli: I am a graduate of Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science degree. I became an insurance broker and opened insurance offices in Wilmington and Stoneham. As a businessman, I know how to make payroll, pay expenses, and make certain clients receive the best service from well-educated, well-compensated employees. I believe my hands on experience gives me a better understanding of the needs of business and job creation.

It is important to create an atmosphere in my district, namely financial stability in Tewksbury and Wilmington which will attract new business.  Keeping local aid suficiently high builds our local educational system and funding the Special Education Breaker account is very important.

Patch: How will you bring economic development to your district?

Miceli: Recently, I introduced a high profile commercial developer to one of our selectmen/economic development committee members.  They are now in discussions regarding development in Tewksbury.  Tewksbury is a very attractive community for orderly commercial development.

Patch: What are the major issues facing the citizens in your district?

Miceli: The major issues facing citizens across my district are jobs, jobs, jobs and taxes. As a legislator, my strengths have always been having a strong connection to my constituents, with a quick response to their needs. 

Patch: How will you strengthen the economy in the 19th Middlesex?

Miceli: In order to strengthen the economy in this district, I will continue my record of voting to keep taxes low and to leverage federal dollars where possible. And most importantly, we must continue to reign in unnecessary state spending.  As a legislator, I have voted for the mechanism to create funding giving the Treasurer's office authority to fund the new high school.

As I drive through my district, I can point to direct involvement in projects such as a library, senior centers, traffic improvement projects, land for recreation and conservation. I have always worked hard to see that my towns get their fair share of funding for local projects. I am not the legislator the voters see only at election time. I am always available for personal meetings, attend all town meetings, ask for voter opinion on questionaires, and hold monthly office hours. I am a familiar face in the community.