George Darcy Announces Candidacy for State Representative

Over the years, I have gotten to know many of you, first as chair of the city’s Conservation Commission, then as co-founder of the Waltham Land Trust and for the last 16 years as the Ward 3 City Councillor. In my work, I have seen the best of what our community can do when we come together around common causes . Waltham is a community that I’m proud to call home. I would be honored to represent you as your next State Representative.

In rancorous political times, I am running as an independent because my quarter century of work in Waltham has never been tied to any party affiliation. My record is one of advocacy that gets results, balancing the different needs of the community to get work done on your behalf. That includes working with community partners wherever possible.

To that end, I have successfully sponsored successive legislation, preserving 513 acres of open space in Waltham. Today, thousands of Waltham citizens use, enjoy, and benefit from these beautiful open spaces every day. I also launched the effort to preserve the UMass Field Station last year, with its 58 acres of land, protecting existing non-profits, such as Waltham Fields Community Farm. My legislation on the City Council then spurred the State Legislature to do the necessary work to listen to our community when 8,000 people called for the UMASS Farm to be saved.

Working together with students and community advocates, I secured funds from the Community Preservation Committee for the restoration of, and signage for, the MetFern Cemetery, a burial ground in North Waltham where hundreds of our fellow citizens who died in state institutions were buried anonymously in graves marked only with “C” for Catholic or “P” for Protestant.

And just this month, I have overseen the clearing of the Wellington Fields on Trapelo Road. These historic farm fields adjoin a major historic house from 1776 that will be put in use for community events, while the fields will be opened up for walking paths for senior citizens. A pumpkin patch will allow children the chance to pick pumpkins in October. The historic apple and cherry fruit orchards will be restored as well.

With Covid-19 our small businesses, tradespeople, students, families and educators will need powerful support to limit the effects of impending state budget cuts.

If elected I will do the following:
- Secure a finalized preservation agreement for the long-term future of the entire 58 acre UMASS Field Station
- Fight for expanded public transit in North Waltham
- Ensure equitable access to technology and internet for all schools
- Fight to reverse the law that exempts the State Legislature from its own Open Meeting Law

This is the work that urgently needs to be done on Beacon Hill, setting party preference aside and putting people - you, my constituents first. In these coming weeks as you cast your ballots, from home or in person, I respectfully ask for your vote for State Representative.

George Darcy
Waltham, MA
www.darcy4rep.com