Candidates Pick Up More Endorsements In State Rep Race

TEWKSBURY, MA -- There's less than a week left for candidates in next week's Democratic state representative primary to woo voters. Five Democrats are vying for their party's nomination in the 19th Middlesex District, which includes Tewksbury and Wilmington. Patch received the following letters from residents in recent days from residents of both towns with their thoughts on the race.

Previously: Who Are Your Neighbors Voting For In State Rep Race?

Consider Traffic, Development Impacts When Casting Your Vote

Dear Editor

In one week, our district will have the opportunity to narrow the choices for State Representative into two candidates, one of which will become our first new representative in 40 years. While this is an exciting time where the district may make a drastic turn, for many it's a worrisome time as change comes with a certain amount of....well, uncertainty.

I have closely followed the race and I will say first and foremost, I will not be pleading with you to vote for any certain candidate. My intention of writing this letter is the hope that it opens your mind to a choice of voting you may have thought but never considered and for those who do not plan to vote, a chance to reconsider.

I am a life long resident of Wilmington and also an outspoken resident in pushing for change in my town. I am asking our Tewksbury friends to take a look at where you are as well as where the Town of Wilmington is and ask yourself in what direction do you wish to take this district?

One of the biggest complaints folks voice is regarding traffic and the lack of ability to travel on Rt 38 (along with other routes). I believe this is an issue that our current leaders (both towns) have created at the behest of one single group of people, the developers. As two candidates have pointed out, Wilmington has been almost completely built out and threats of large capacity condo complexes are being speculated about all over town. Tewksbury has seen the impact first hand of what these complexes do to a community, and I have not spoken to one person that believes those impacts are positive. For Wilmington, it may be too late, however Tewksbury still has lots of open spaces, undeveloped land and may I say it, farmland ripe for building.

It's time that our two communities look at the officials that are constantly being elected and where their loyalties lie. In the case of Wilmington, a small group of individuals continually gets elected while endorsements for the same people continue being made. Wilmington's political landscape reminds me of a bad merry go round that just will not stop! The 19thMiddlesex has a big choice in front of itself at the moment. It's time to vote in "new blood" that will bring fresh ideas to tackle the problems we face and will be a voice for the people. We need creative solutions, the type that only comes from someone seeing the problem through fresh and untainted eyes. We have seen the road we are on, Rt 38 cannot handle much more of this course. Please look at records of the candidates and rely less on what they say and more about what they have done and the type of person they are. The individual that gets elected this coming November will most assuredly be asked to cast a vote on a law that will relax the super majority needed for land rezoning at Town Meeting. We need an impartial representative that we can trust will do what is right for the people and not their, or their friends pockets. Let's chose to stop the merry go round before it gets going.

I've been an advocate that the government is here to be a resource for the people, not one group, but of all the people. The only way we can make change is to recognize this is an important election and our district needs you to show up to vote. The special interests will have their people showing up at the polls in droves, their candidates are clear as day. It's time we stand together and end the "good old boy network" that exists today.

Thank you

Sincerely

Rob Fasulo

Note: Fasulo unsuccessfully ran for selectman in Wilmington earlier this year.

Vote For David Robertson

Dear Editor,

The residents of the 19th Middlesex district find ourselves in a unique position: this November, a Democratic nominee will appear on the ballot for the first time in decades not named James Miceli.

The impact that Rep. Miceli had on our communities cannot be overstated. While most of us disagreed with him on certain issues, one thing cannot be debated, and that is his love for and dedication to our district. Jim was unrivaled amongst his colleagues for his tenacity in advocating for, and advancing the causes of the 19th Middlesex.

I had the good fortune to know Rep. Miceli, both as a colleague and as a constituent. I worked in the State House for a number or years for former Rep. Charley Murphy, and worked alongside Jim and his staff a number of times on various Wilmington issues, ranging from the construction of the new High School, to celebrating local students and sports teams. Jim’s commitment to helping his constituents was unparalleled, and he demanded the same from his staff. I also got to know Jim well after moving to Wilmington and being active in the Democratic Town Committee. We didn’t always see eye to eye, but we could disagree respectfully, and I know he always did what he thought was best for our district. I have always appreciated that approach in my representatives, and it is something I look for when deciding who to support.

Right now, we have the awesome responsibility of electing our first new State Representative in 40 years. We are lucky to have a number or great candidates with unique skill sets seeking the nomination. While no one can be Jim Miceli, there is one candidate with the experience, the temperament, the tenacity, and the commitment to constituent services to follow in his footsteps: David Robertson.

I’ve known David for 10 years, and watched him work side by side with Rep Miceli that entire time. When David informed me that he would be running to represent us, I immediately signed on to help. Having worked for the Legislature, I know that we need someone who will advocate fiercely for us, but also understands how to navigate the legislative process.

I encourage you to visit his website at www.RobertsonForRep.com to learn more about his campaign. David is the clear choice to represent our district, and I hope you will join me in casting a ballot for him in the primary on September 4th.

Jesse Fennelly

Wilmington

Note: Fennelly unsuccessfully ran for Wilmington School Committee earlier this year.

Dear Editor:

Last week Governor Baker signed S.2632, An act relative to veteran’s benefits, rights, appreciation, validation and enforcement (The Brave Act). Dave Robertson played a large part in getting this bill enacted. Starting over 4 years ago at the monthly evening office hours for Rep. Miceli at the Wilmington Town Hall, Dave listened, researched, and collaborated with the legislature legal team, and Rep. Miceli to write part of this legislation, specifically Section 5. This part of the new law acknowledges the Commissioned Officers of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as veterans in Massachusetts. This places Massachusetts in line with the Federal recognition of USPHS/NOAA officers as veterans and provides parity with many other states.

I have worked closely with Dave Robertson on this issue over the past 4 years, and can attest to his professionalism and attention to detail during many phone calls, strategy sessions and meetings at the state house with other legislators to move this issue forward. Dave Robertson has been Rep. Miceli’s right hand man during the last several years, as anyone with a problem or issue in town knows. His mentorship by Rep. Miceli, who well represented the Wilmington area for over the 35 years I have lived in town, provided an incredible on the job training and a strong background for Dave to work in the complex Massachusetts legislative system.

Thank you Rep. Miceli for filing and supporting this legislation and for all you did for the people of Wilmington and Tewksbury for so many years. May you rest in peace.

Thank you Dave Robertson for all the work you did to get this legislation enacted and signed into law. Your enthusiasm for helping people is well suited for your chosen career in public service.

I urge every resident to support this talented, dedicated, hardworking professional to continue in his successful work as the state representative for Wilmington and Tewksbury. Please vote for Dave Robertson in the primary on September 4 and the general election on November 6.

Thank you,

Mary Aruda, PhD, APRN

Vote For Judy O'Connell

Dear Editor,

I will be voting for Judy O’Connell in the primary election on September 4, and I encourage my friends and neighbors to join me.

For at least a decade, Judy has proven to be a tireless, selfless advocate for the community of Wilmington and she will prove to be an invaluable figure on Beacon Hill for both Wilmington and Tewksbury.
Judy has demonstrated her commitment to education, and in particular special education, as a School Committee member and as a teacher. In fact, she delayed the start of her campaigning to live up to her promise of finishing the year as a high school mathematics teacher at Wilmington High School. As a School Committee member, she was instrumental in the implementation of full-day kindergarten for Wilmington, several years before many other communities, and was a key figure in advocating for the new Wilmington High School.

Her devotion to her community is apparent simply by the long list of organizations that she has been a part of; including but not limited to Wilmington Athletic Alumni & Friends, Wilmington/Tewksbury Chamber of Commerce, Wilmington High School 4.0 Committee, Town of Wilmington Scholarship Committee, Wilmington Relay For Life, and the Yentile Farm Development Committee (Chairman).

Her experience as a two-term Board of Selectmen member provided her with municipal government experience, and made her privy to the matters most concerning to Wilmington residents, such as the New England Transrail proposal.

In addition, and perhaps just as important, to her experience is her character. I’ve known Judy for many years, and have always found her to have the highest moral fiber. I admire Judy, and am proud to count her as a friend.

Judy will be an effective leader on Beacon Hill for the residents of Wilmington and Tewksbury. Please join me in casting your vote for Judy O’Connell on September 4.

Sincerely,

Stephen Bjork

Wilmington School Committee

Read more endorsement letters in the race.

Previously: Who Are Your Neighbors Voting For In State Rep Race?

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Patch file photo via Shutterstock.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).