telegram.com/election time to choosehow far you are from washington in your mind or your place. the...

EDITOR’S NOTE — An overview conclud-ing The Associated Press’ “Why It Matters”series, which explores top issues confrontingthe nation in this presidential campaign sea-son and their impact on Americans.

WASHINGTON — Election Day couldwell determine how much you end up pay-ing in taxes. It could move the bar forfighting future wars. On energy, it couldshape the balance between drill-baby-drill (and mine-baby-mine) and some big

pollution controls. If you care aboutObamacare, this may be your last,

best chance to save it or unravel it —with your vote.

Long after the fuss fades overPresident Barack Obama’s snoozydebate opener and Mitt Romney’s

weird flub or two, one of them willbe hard at work trying to make goodon his agenda. This will include

pressing any opportunity to reshapethe Supreme Court, which hovers overall other issues.

The winner’s policies are almost cer-tain to find you where you live, no matter

how far you are from Washington in yourmind or your place. The taxman cometh. So does the SocialSecurity check for retirees — and the shakier-by-the-dec-ade promise of those checks for everyone else. Obama’s mandate for almost everyone to have health in-

Time to choose By Calvin WoodwardTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS

P R E S I D E N TO F T H EU N I T E DS T A T E S

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ELECTION 2012telegram.com/election

Age: 62 Party affiliation: Green-Rainbow PartyEducation: Graduated from Harvard Collegein 1973 and from Harvard Medical Schoolin 1979Political experience: Lexington town meetingrepresentative, founder and past co-chairman of a local recycling committeeappointed by the Lexington Board of SelectmenIssues: Provide grants and low-interest loans to green busi-nesses and cooperatives; reduce the budget deficit by restor-ing full employment, cutting the bloated military budget, andcutting private health insurance waste; provide tuition-freeeducation from kindergarten through college, thus eliminatingthe student debt crisis.Personal: Married to Richard Rohrer, two sons: Ben and Noah Running mate: Cheri Honkala

Jill Stein

Barack Hussein Obama Jr.IncumbentAge: 51Party affiliation: DemocratEducation: Attended OccidentalCollege, B.S. in political sciencefrom Columbia University; lawdegree from Harvard University.Political experience: President of theUnited States 2009 to present, U.S.Senate 2005-2008, Illinois Senate1997-2004.Issues: Growth of economy andcreation of good middle-class jobs;quality affordable health insurancefor all Americans by putting a stopto insurance company abuses.Cutting taxes for every workingAmerican and keeping taxes low formiddle-class families.Personal: Married to Michelle; twodaughters: Malia, 14, and Sasha, 11.Running mate: Vice President JosephBiden

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surance — along with all the coverage pro-tections that flow from that — constitutesthe largest reshaping of social policy ingenerations, with the effects to be felt evermore as the law takes firmer hold in thenext few years. If Romney wins and getsenough like-minded people in Congress,he would reset that and try somethingelse.

Though farther from home, the out-sourcing of production overseas goesto the heart of American communitieslarge and small as factory jobs vanish,or in some cases come back. Seeminglyesoteric subjects like the value of Chi-na’s currency and the fine print of tradedeals affect what you pay for goods andperhaps whether you or the neighborshave work. Less obviously, the debtcrisis on a faraway continent affectscredit in the U.S. What happens inGreece, Spain and beyond may putyour home loan out of reach if theturmoil gets out of hand.

Romney and Obama have sharp dif-ferences on these subjects and more,though they don’t always make them easy

to see. Much of the final leg of the campaign is about reachingfor the middle ground. So nothing too radical, please.

For Romney, that means suddenly talking about his interest

Shape of future hangs on presidential vote

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Age: 59 Party affiliation: LibertarianEducation: B.S. from University ofMexico Political Experience: Governor ofNew Mexico 1995-2003Issues: Submit a balancedbudget to Congress in 2013,revise the terms of entitlement programs such as Medi-care, Medicaid, and Social Security, which threaten tobankrupt the nation’s future; fewer government man-dates and less regulation will allow innovation andcompetition to make health care more affordable.Personal: Widower, two children: Saeh and Erik; engagedto be marriedRunning mate: Jim Gray

Gary Johnson

Willard Mitt RomneyAge: 65 Party affiliation: RepublicanEducation: B.A. in English fromBrigham Young University; earneddual master’s and law degreesfrom Harvard Law and HarvardBusiness School.Political experience: Governor ofMassachusetts from 2003-2007Issues: Rebuild American econo-my: plans to reduce taxes, spend-ing, regulation and governmentprograms; plans to repeal Affor-dable Care Act; will pursue pow-ers that give each state thepower to create its own healthcare plan; wants to reduce andstabilize federal spending; wouldlike to lower marginal tax ratesfor all Americans.Personal: Married to Ann Romney;five sons: Taggart, Matt, Josh,Ben and Craig; 18 grandchildren.Running mate: Paul Ryan

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4 ELECTION 2012telegram.com/election

Age: 49 Party affiliation: Green-Rainbow PartyEducation: High school diplomaPolitical experience: NoneIssues: Enact the Full EmploymentProgram, which will create 25 milliongreen jobs in sustainable energy, masstransit, sustainable organic agricultureand clean manufacturing; provide fullprotection for workplace rights, including the right to asafe workplace and the right to organize a union;break up the oversized banks.Personal: One son: Mark WebberRunning Mate: Jill Stein

Cheri Honkala

in seeing Pell Grants rise for low-incomecollege students, not about the majorchanges in government programs thatwould be required for him even to getclose to his deficit-cutting goals.

For Obama, it means preaching fiscaldiscipline and an aggressive stance onenergy production, not focusing on thetax increases for higher-end insurancepolicies in his health care law or the

mercury pollution controls that couldshut dozens of coal-fired power plants

across the country. Although Obamafailed to persuade a Democratic Con-gress to pass limits he promised oncarbon emissions and he shelved aplan to toughen health standardson lung-damaging smog, a secondterm could give a second wind to

steps like these. Both candidates talk about cutting un-

necessary regulation, but Romney’s view ofwhat’s unnecessary is far more expansive

than the Democrat’s. That’s part of a larger,fundamental and familiar divide between thetwo parties on the proper responsibilities of

government. Voters, like candidates, can’t predict what

economic calamity will come out of the blue. But it’s clearboth from records and rhetoric that Obama believes in thepower of government and the Treasury to stimulate growth,

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Candidates’ governingprinciples differ

Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.IncumbentAge: 69 Party affiliation: Democrat Education: Bachelor’s degree, historyand political science, University ofDelaware; law degree, SyracuseUniversity, 1968.Political Experience: Vice president ofthe United States 2009 to present;U.S. Senate, 1973-2009; New CastleCounty Council, 1970-72.Issues: Supports America’s manu-facturing and auto industries; wantsto protect retirement security forAmerica’s seniors; make sure mil-lionaires and billionaires don’t pay asmaller share of their income intaxes than middle-class families.Personal: Married Neilia Hunter in1966; three children: Beau, Hunterand Naomi. His wife and daughterNaomi died in a car crash in 1972.Married Jill Jacobs in 1977; oinedaughter, Ashley; five grandchildren.

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Age: 67 Party affiliation: Libertarian Education: University of California at Los Angeles, 1966,and law degree from the University of Southern Cali-forniaPolitical experience: Has never held officeIssues: Repeal the failed and hopeless war on drugs byrestricting the role of the federal government to assist-ing each state to enforce its chosen laws; establish“sunset” laws that will require an affirmative vote inCongress every seven years before any federal agencies or pro-grams can be refunded; return our educational and health caresystems to the control of more local governments. Personal: Married with four children: Bill, Jennifer, Morgan and KyRunning mate: Gary Johnson

Jim Gray

add jobs and even save industries in waysthat Romney doesn’t. On Nov. 6, voterschoose governing principles as much as alist of positions.

That holds true on foreign policy, too. Atthe moment, Romney comes across as moreaggressive against Iran and on the conflict inSyria. On Afghanistan, he now supports thepresident’s plan to end U.S. combat in 2014and appears to have dropped his qualifica-tion that a withdrawal will depend on con-ditions on the ground at the time. Appar-ently modest differences may come tonothing after the campaign, or they couldprove substantive — determiningwhether the U.S. truly extricates itselffrom one war and how willing it willbe to fight another.

The choice in the election doesn’tjust matter on the issues the candi-

dates want to talk about. It can matter just as much on theissues they avoid. This is where the Supreme Court comes in.

With four justices in their 70s, there’s a strong chance the nextpresident will have a chance to fill at least one seat on a courtclosely divided between conservatives and liberals. One newface on the bench could mean a major change in civil liberties,gay relationships, gun control, health care, the approach toterrorism, perhaps access to abortion, and more, for years tocome.

All told, a lot of tipping points on Election Day. That’s democra-cy for you.

Paul Davis RyanAge: 42Party affiliation: RepublicanEducation: B.A. in political science andeconomics from Miami University ofOhioPolitical experience: U.S. representativefor Wisconsin’s 1st congressionaldistrict 1999 to present, chairman ofthe House Budget Committee.Issues: Introduced the Path to Pros-perity budget proposal to helpbudget the mounting debt; wants toreform both Medicare and Medicaid;wants to make the Tax Code Faircompetitive and simple.Personal: Married to Janna; threechildren: Liza, Charles and Sam. Running mate: Mitt Romney

From Previous Page

Sharp contrasts indefining national policy

IncumbentAge: 53 Address: 70 Hayden Woods, WrenthamParty affiliation: RepublicanOccupation: U.S. senator Education: Degree in history from Tufts Universityand juris doctorate degree from Boston CollegeLaw SchoolPolitical experience: Wrentham selectman1995-1998, Massachusetts House of Repre-sentatives 1999-2004, Massachusetts stateSenate 2004-2010, U.S. senator 2010 to present Issues: Wants to create jobs to stimulate theeconomy to get the country moving again; wantsto repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace itwith health care reforms that drive down costsand make it easier for people to purchase affor-dable insurance and strengthen the existingprivate market system.Personal: Married, two daughters

Scott P. Brown

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WORCESTER — Republican U.S. Sen. Scott P. Brown is beingchallenged by Democrat Elizabeth Warren in what has becomethe most expensive Senate race in state history and one of themost watched around the country this year.

More than $53 million is being spent by the two candidates, in acontest that has seen each candidate leading in polls in recentmonths and has been expected to be a close contest.

Mr. Brown, 53, surged to national political prominence in 2010,upsetting state Attorney General Martha Coakley with the helpof the tea party movement, to become the 41st Republican in theSenate, which gave the GOP enough votes to block Democraticbills by filibuster in 2010.

He served as a town tax assessor and selectman, state repre-sentative and as a state senator, before running for federal officefor the first time in the special election in January 2010. He hasserved part time in the National Guard for many years and thisyear was promoted to the rank of colonel.

Ms. Warren, 63, is a law professor at Harvard University LawSchool and is a well-known consumer advocate who has writtenextensively on the economic status of the middle class. Sheserved as a financial adviser to the White House and PresidentBarack Obama after the 2008 financial crisis and proposed andoversaw creation of the new Federal Consumer ProtectionBureau to combat abusive credit practices.

This time out Mr. Brown, who is serving out the remainder ofthe late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy’s term, is seeking re-election toa six-year term in the Senate and is sticking to many of the

High-profile, high-stakes contest

By John J. MonahanTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

U S S E N A T ER A C E

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Address: 24 Linnaean St., CambridgeAge: 63Party affiliation: DemocratOccupation: Harvard Law School professor Education: George Washington University, University ofHouston and juris doctorate degree from Rutgers Uni-versityPolitical experience: Appointed chair of oversight forTrouble Asset Relief Program Issues: We can put people back to work by repairingroads and bridges, upgrading communications, andmaking sure we have teachers in the classroom andfirefighters in the fire station; must level the playingfield for small businesses and middle class families;invest more in our public colleges and universities; getserious about strengthening grant programs and forgiv-ing loans for those who serve their communities. Personal: Married, a daughter and son

Elizabeth Warren

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campaign themes he used in the 2010 special election.He still wants to repeal Obama’s health care law and replace

it with provisions to lower costs, reduce taxes and governmentregulations for business and describes himself as a moderatepro-choice Republican. He has said he will only support exten-sion of current tax cuts for the middle class if they are alsoextended for those making more than $250,000 and has calledfor spending cuts to reduce the deficit.

He saw a Democratic version of a bill he filed this year thatbans members of Congress from insider trading enacted intolaw, along with a crowd funding bill he filed that allowsbusinesses to raise up to $1 million from investors withoutextensive Securities and Exchange Commission regulation.

Ms. Warren favors tax cuts for the middle class and increas-ing taxes on those making more than $250,000 a year as part ofwhat she calls a balanced approach to reducing the federaldeficit with spending cuts and more revenue. She has calledfor an expedited withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistanand opposes any cuts in benefits to Medicare and Social Secu-rity.

Mr. Brown has opposed several Democratic bills to createjobs using funds from increased taxes on the wealthy andclosing of loopholes for business this year, and has signed apledge not to vote for any tax increases. Ms. Warren says shesupports job bills using federal funds for such things as in-frastructure projects to put more people back to work.

Brown, Warren compete inclosely watched race

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Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8p.m. Tuesday for the election.

Area polling places are:

ASHBURNHAM

One precinct: J.R. Briggs Ele-mentary School, 96 Williams Road.

ASHBY

One precinct: Ashby ElementarySchool, 911 Main St.

ATHOL

Precinct 1: CongregationalChurch, 1225 Chestnut St.

Precincts 2 and 3: Senior Cen-ter, 82 Freedom St.

AUBURN

Precincts 1-5: Auburn HighSchool, Auburn Street.

BARRE

Precinct 1: Senior Center, 557South Barre Road.

Precinct 2: American LegionPost 2, 450 South Barre Road.

BERLIN

One precinct: Town office build-ing, 23 Linden St., lower level.

BLACKSTONE

Precinct 1: Senior Center atTown Hall, St. Paul Street.

Precinct 2: St. Theresa’s ParishHall, Rathbun Street.

Precinct 3: Upper level meetingroom, Town Hall, St. Paul Street.

BOLTON

All precincts: Auditorium, Nash-oba Regional High School, 12Green Road.

BOYLSTON

One precinct: Town Hall at Hill-side, 221 Main St.

BRIMFIELD

All precincts: Town Hall, 21MainSt.

BROOKFIELD

One precinct: Town Hall, 6 Cen-tral St.

CHARLTON

Precincts 1-4: Heritage School,34 Oxford Road.

CLINTON

Precincts 1-4: Town Hall, 242Church St.

DOUGLAS

Precincts 1-3: Municipal CenterGym, 29 Depot Road.

DUDLEY

Precincts 1-3: Town Hall, 71West Main St., in the senior center.

EAST BROOKFIELD

One precinct: Memorial TownHall Complex, 122 Connie MackDrive.

FITCHBURG

Ward 1, Precincts A and B:Knights of Columbus Hall, 165Electric Ave.

Ward 2, Precincts A and B: St.Joseph’s Church hall, WoodlandStreet.

Ward 3, Precincts A and B:Memorial Middle School, 615 Roll-stone St.

Ward 4, Precincts A and B:Fitchburg Senior Center, 14 Wal-lace Ave.

Ward 5, Precincts A and B:MART Intermodal Station, 100 MainSt.

Ward 6, Precincts A and B: St.Bernard’s Activity Center, 260 Sum-mer St.

GARDNER

Ward 1, Precincts A and B: ElksHome, 31 Park St.

Ward 2, Precincts A and B: LeviHeywood Memorial Library, 55West Lynde St.

Ward 3, Precinct A: AcadienSocial Club, 193 Parker St.

Ward 3, Precinct B: High RiseLounge, 116 Church St.

Ward 4, Precincts A and B: Sa-cred Heart Church hall, 166 CrossSt.

Ward 5, Precincts A and B:Knights of Columbus hall, 110South Main St.

GRAFTON

Precincts 1-3: Grafton MiddleSchool, Providence Road.

Precincts 4-5: Grafton Elemen-tary School gymnasium, 105 Mill-bury St.

HARDWICK

One precinct: Hardwick Ele-mentary School, 531 Lower Road.

HARVARD

One precinct: Bromfield School,14 Massachusetts Ave.

HOLDEN

Precincts 1 and 2: Senior Cen-ter, 1130 Main St.

Precinct 3: Davis Hill School, 80Jamieson Road (use 175 HighlandSt. entrance).

Precinct 4: Mountview School(gym), 270 Shrewsbury St.

Precinct 5: Light Department, 1Holden St.

HOLLAND

All precincts: Town Hall, Com-munity Room, 27 Sturbridge Road.

HOPEDALE

One precinct: Draper gymna-sium, 13 Dutcher St.

HUBBARDSTON

One precinct: HubbardstonCenter School, gymnasium, 8 ElmSt.

HUDSON

Precinct 1: Hudson High School,gymnasium, 69 Brigham St.

Precinct 2: Glen Road Commu-nity Center, 4 Glen Road.

Precinct 3: JFK Middle School,gymnasium, 201 Manning St.

Precinct 4: Mulready School,gymnasium, 306 Cox St.

Precinct 5: Forest AvenueSchool, gymnasium, 136 ForestAve.

Precincts 6 and 7: Town Hall,second-floor auditorium, 78 MainSt.

LANCASTER

Precincts 1 and 2: Town Hall,695 Main St.

LEICESTER

Precincts 1-4: Town Hall, 3Washburn Square.

LEOMINSTER

Ward 1, Precincts A, B, and C:Sky View Middle School, 500 Ken-nedy Way, off Prospect Street.

Ward 2, Precincts A, B, and C:Southeast Elementary School, 95Viscoloid Ave.

Ward 3, Precincts A, B, and C:Fraternal Order of Eagles Hall, 456Litchfield St.

Ward 4, Precinct A: Senior Citi-zen Drop-In Center, 5 Pond St.

Ward 4, Precincts B and C: Leo-minster Veterans Quarters, 100West St.

Ward 5, Precincts A and B: CityHall auditorium, 25 West St.

Ward 5, Precinct C: First BaptistChurch of Leominster, 23 West St.

LUNENBURG

Precincts A, B, C, D: T.C. Pas-sios Elementary, 1025 Massachu-setts Ave.

MARLBORO

Ward 1, Precincts 1and 2: KaneSchool, 520 Farm Road.

Ward 2, Precincts 1 and 2:Kane School, 520 Farm Road.

Ward 3, Precinct 1: MasonicHall, 8 Newton St.

Ward 3, Precinct 2: RicherSchool, 80 Foley Road.

Ward 4, Precincts 1and 2: Marl-boro Boys and Girls Club, 169Pleasant St.

Ward 5, Precinct 1: Senior Cen-ter, 250 Main St.

Ward 5, Precinct 2: MasonicHall, 8 Newton St.

Ward 6, Precincts 1 and 2: 1stLt. Charles W. Whitcomb School,library, 25 Union St.

Ward 7, Precincts 1 and 2: Hil-dreth School, 85 Sawin St.

MENDON

One precinct: Miscoe HillSchool, North Avenue.

MILFORD

Precincts 1 and 4: MilfordSenior Center, 60 North Bow St.

Precincts 2 and 3: Italian Veter-ans Hall, Hayward Field.

Precincts 5, 6, 7 and 8: Portu-guese Club, 119 Prospect Heights.

MILLBURY

Precincts 1-4: Millbury HighSchool, 12 Martin St.

MILLVILLE

One precinct: Longfellow Munic-ipal Center, 8 Central St.

NEW BRAINTREE

One precinct: Town Hall, 20Memorial Drive.

NORTH BROOKFIELD

One precinct: Senior Center, 29Forest St.

NORTHBORO

Precinct 1: Proctor School, 26Jefferson Road.

Precinct 2: Lincoln StreetSchool, 76 Lincoln St.

Precinct 3: Peaslee School, 35Maple St.

Precinct 4: Zeh School, 33Howard St.

NORTHBRIDGE

Precincts 1-4: Northbridge HighSchool, 427 Linwood Ave.

OAKHAM

One precinct: Town Hall, 2 Cold-brook Road.

ORANGE

Precincts 1 and 2: Armory, 135East Main St.

OXFORD

Precincts 1 and 4: ChaffeeSchool, 9 Clover St.

Precinct 2: Oxford MiddleSchool, 497 Main St.

Precinct 3: Town Hall, 325 MainSt.

PAXTON

All precincts: Paxton CenterSchool, gymnasium, West Street.

PETERSHAM

All precincts: Town Hall, 1 SouthMain St.

PHILLIPSTON

One precinct: Town Hall, 50 Onthe Common.

PRINCETON

One precinct: Town Hall annex,

4 Town Hall Drive.

ROYALSTON

Precinct 1: Town Hall, 13 TheCommon.

Precinct 2: Whitney Hall, 5School St.

RUTLAND

Precincts 1 and 3: Naquag Ele-mentary School, 285 Main St.

Precinct 2: Rutland Library(lower level), 280 Main St.

SHIRLEY

One precinct: Town Offices, 7Keady Way.

SHREWSBURY

Precinct 1: Richard D. CarneyMunicipal Office Building, 100Maple Ave.

Precinct 2: Gesang Verein Froh-sinn Club, 25 North QuinsigamondAve.

Precinct 3: Calvin CoolidgeSchool, 1 Florence St.

Precinct 4: Scandinavian Ath-letic Club, 438 Lake St.

Precincts 5 and 10: Sewer andWater Department garage, 209South St.

Precinct 6: Shrewsbury SeniorCenter, 98 Maple Ave.

Precinct 7 and 8: Spring StreetSchool, 123 Spring St.

Precinct 9: Fire Station No. 3, 20CenTech Blvd.

SOUTHBORO

Precinct 1: Woodward School,28 Cordaville Road.

Precinct 2: Trottier School, 49Parkerville Road.

Precinct 3: Finn School, 60Richards Road.

SOUTHBRIDGE

Precincts 1-5: The Armory, 153Chestnut St.

SPENCER

Precincts 1-4: Town Hall, 157Main St.

STERLING

Precincts 1 and 2: HoughtonElementary School, gymnasium, 32Boutelle Road.

STURBRIDGE

Precincts 1-3: Oliver Wight Tav-ern, 1 Old Sturbridge Road.

SUTTON

Precinct 1: Simonian EarlyLearning Center, 409 BostonRoad.

Precinct 2: Manchaug Fire Sta-tion, 343 Manchaug Road.

Precinct 3: Wilkinsonville FireStation, 14 Providence Road.

P O L L I N G P L A C E S

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TEMPLETON

Precincts A, B and C: Narragan-sett Regional High School, 464Baldwinville Road.

TOWNSEND

Precincts 1-3: Memorial Hall,272 Main St.

UPTON

All precincts: Nipmuc RegionalHigh School, 90 Pleasant St.

UXBRIDGE

Precincts 1-4: McCloskey Mid-dle School, 62 Capron St.

WALES

One precinct: Senior Center, 85Main St., Route 19.

WARE


WARREN

Polling place A: Shepard Munic-ipal Building gym, 48 High St., War-ren.

Polling place B: Warren SeniorCenter, 2252 Main St., West War-ren.

WEBSTER


WEST BOYLSTON

Precincts 1 and 2: Our Lady ofGood Counsel Church, 111 Wor-cester St.

WEST BROOKFIELD

One precinct: West BrookfieldSenior Center, 73 Central St.

WESTBORO

Precincts 1 and 3: Gibbons Mid-dle School, 20 Fisher St.

Precinct 2: Hastings ElementarySchool, 111 East Main St.

Precincts 4 and 5: Mill PondSchool, Olde Hickory Path.

WESTMINSTER

Precincts 1 and 2: WestminsterElementary School, 1 Academy HillRoad.

WINCHENDON

All precincts: Old MurdockSenior Center, 55 Murdock Ave.

WORCESTER

Ward 1, Precinct 1: UnitarianUniversalist Church, 90 Holden St.

Ward 1, Precinct 2: The Willows,

Great Room, 101 Barry Road.Ward 1, Precinct 3: Assumption

College, 500 Salisbury St.Ward 1, Precinct 4: Congrega-

tion Beth Israel, social hall, 15Jamesbury Drive.

Ward 1, Precinct 5: Price Chop-per Supermarket, 72 Pullman St.

Ward 2, Precinct 1: Salem Cov-enant Church, social hall, 215Mountain St. East.

Ward 2, Precincts 2 and 3: ZionLutheran Church, social hall, 41Whitmarsh Ave.

Ward 2, Precinct 4: Lincoln Vil-lage, 134 Country Club Blvd.

Ward 2, Precinct 5: Great BrookValley, 180 Constitution Ave.

Ward 3, Precinct 1: Dodge ParkRest Home, social hall, 101 Ran-dolph Road.

Ward 3, Precinct 2: BelmontApartments, community room, 40Belmont St.

Ward 3, Precinct 3: WorcesterCenter for Crafts, lobby, 25 Saga-more Road.

Ward 3, Precinct 4: WorcesterTechnical High School, lobby, 1Skyline Drive.

Ward 3, Precinct 5: FirstAssembly of God Church, hall, 30Tyler Prentice Road.

Ward 4, Precincts 1 and 2: OurLady of Mount Carmel RecreationCenter, 10 Mulberry St.

Ward 4, Precinct 3: BelmontApartments, community room, 40

Belmont St.Ward 4, Precinct 4: Friendly

House, 36 Wall St.Ward 4, Precinct 5: Lincoln Park

Tower, community room, 11 LakeAve.

Ward 5, Precinct 1: AddisonApartments, community room, 15Addison St.

Ward 5, Precinct 2: EcoTarium,222 Harrington Way.

Ward 5, Precinct 3: Lake ParkCommunity House, 264 Lake Ave.

Ward 5, Precinct 4: Super Stop& Shop, board room, 949 GraftonSt.

Ward 5, Precinct 5: BroadMeadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary,414 Massasoit Road.

Ward 6, Precincts 1, 2 and 3:Worcester Senior Center, 128 Prov-idence St.

Ward 6, Precinct 4: Quinsiga-mond Village Neighborhood Cen-ter, 16 Greenwood St.

Ward 6, Precinct 5: GreenwoodGardens, community room, 337Greenwood St.

Ward 7, Precinct 1: BeaverBrook Park, community building, 9Mann St.

Ward 7, Precincts 2 and 4:Shaw’s Supermarket, 68 StaffordSt.

Ward 7, Precinct 3: Coes PondVillage, community room, 39 FirstSt.

Ward 7, Precinct 5: Hadwen

Park Congregational Church, com-munity room, 6 Clover St.

Ward 8, Precinct 1: Departmentof Inspectional Services, 25 MeadeSt.

Ward 8, Precinct 2: Main SouthCommunity Development Corp.,875 Main St.

Ward 8, Precinct 3: St. Peter’sChurch, hall, 929 Main St.

Ward 8, Precinct 4: WebsterSquare Towers, community room,1050 Main St.

Ward 8, Precinct 5: Harry SherryField House, 55 Camp St.

Ward 9, Precincts 1, 2 and 3:Temple Emanuel, social hall, 280May St.

Ward 9, Precinct 4: WorcesterSeventh-day Adventist Church, Fel-lowship Hall, 2 Airport Drive.

Ward 9, Precinct 5: First Con-gregational Church in Worcester,hall, 1070 Pleasant St.

Ward 10, Precinct 1: Elm ParkTower, community room, 425Pleasant St.

Ward 10, Precinct 2: AHEPALodge, 68 Cedar St.

Ward 10, Precincts 3 and 5:Murray Avenue Apartments, com-munity room, 50 Murray Ave.

Ward 10, Precinct 4: MaysideApartments, community room, 26Mayside Lane.

From Previous Page

Republican candidateJonathan A. Golnik is onceagain challenging U.S. Rep.Nicola “Niki” Tsongas, D-Low-ell, in the election Nov. 6 for thechance to represent the 3rd Dis-trict.

The two faced off in 2010 whenMr. Golnik garnered the mostvotes by a Republican in the dis-trict since 1992 in the generalelection.

This election, the pair havelots of new ground to cover andare both canvassing theirexpansive new district, whichruns from Haverhill to Win-chendon.

The communities of Ashburn-ham, Ashby, Clinton, Fitch-burg, Gardner, Lunenburg,Marlboro, Pepperell, Towns-end, Westminster and Winchen-don were added to the new 3rdDistrict when the state redrewcongressional district linesafter the 2010 census.

The candidates disagree on amyriad of issues, including howto improve the economy and

health care. Mr. Golnik, a small business-

man and currently full-timecongressional candidate fromCarlisle, said the middle class isunder siege, gas prices havedoubled, food prices are up,home prices have declined 40percent, and the unemploymentrate is chronically high.

The public sector does not cre-ate sustainable jobs, Mr. Golniksaid, but lowering the corporatetax rate and extending the Bushadministration’s tax cuts per-manently is part of the solution.

Ms. Tsongas, however, saidshe believes people are better offthan they were two years ago.With the stimulus package,which she supported, she saidthere have been 31 consecutivemonths of private sector jobgrowth.

“(It was) one of the largest taxcuts in the country that wentinto the hands of the middleclass,” she said.

She said there needs to be afocus on getting people back towork. She said to that end, sheauthored legislation that cre-ates a competitive grant pro-

gram that encourages hiring inhard-hit communities and hasbeen a champion of small busi-ness development through theSmall Business InnovationResearch grant program.

When it comes to health care,the two also sit at opposite endsof the table.

Mr. Golnik said he supports afull repeal of the AffordableHealth Care Act that he consid-ers job-killing legislation.

Market-driven reforms areneeded to get health care spend-ing under control, he said, andpeople with pre-existing condi-tions should pool together toincrease buying power.

Ms. Tsongas said Massachu-setts should be used as a tem-plate for the rest of the countrywhen it comes to health care.Pooling those with pre-existingconditions would make the costof health care too exorbitant forthose individuals, she said, nomatter how many people pooltogether.

“Massachusetts has one of thelowest unemployment rates inthe country and we created thetemplate,” she said.

New-look district has rematch of 2010 race3 R D C O N G R E S S I O N A L D I S T R I C T

By Paula J. Owen TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

IncumbentAge: 66 Address: 52 Law-rence Drive, LowellParty affiliation:DemocratOccupation: U.S.representative forthe 5th DistrictEducation: SmithCollege and Boston UniversityPolitical Experience: Represents the 5thCongressional District of Massachu-setts. Serves on the House ArmedServices Committee and the NaturalResources Committee.Issues: Better access to health care,education and job training benefits forveterans; help the middle class getahead; support small businesses; closetax loopholes for big oil companies andcorporations that send jobs overseas. Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: Unde-cidedMedical use of marijuana: UndecidedPersonal: Widowed, three children

Nicola S. Tsongas

Age: 47Address: 347 Eliza-beth Ridge Road,CarlisleParty affiliation:RepublicanOccupation: Owner oftwo small busi-nessesEducation: Dart-mouth University and the University ofPennsylvaniaPolitical experience: Has never held apolitical office Issues: Maintain current levels of per-sonal income tax rate, wants to permitindividuals to purchase health insur-ance across state lines.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: NoMedical use of marijuana: YesPersonal: Married, two children

Jonathan A. Golnik

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WASHINGTON — A look at whereDemocratic President Barack Obamaand Republican presidential rival MittRomney stand on a selection of issues:

ABORTION and BIRTH CONTROL

Obama: Supports access to abortion.Health care law requires contraceptivesto be available for free for womenenrolled in workplace health plans,including access to morning-after pill,which does not terminate a pregnancybut is considered tantamount to an abor-tion pill by some religious conservatives.Supported requiring girls 16 and under toget a prescription for the morning-afterpill, available without a prescription forolder women.

Romney: Opposes access to abortionexcept in cases of rape, incest or risk tothe woman’s life. Previously supportedaccess. Says state law should guide abor-tion rights, and Roe v. Wade should bereversed by a future Supreme Court rul-ing. But says Roe v. Wade is law of theland until that happens and should not bechallenged by federal legislation seekingto overturn abortion rights affirmed bythat court decision. “So I would livewithin the law, within the Constitutionas I understand it, without creating a con-stitutional crisis. But I do believe Roe v.Wade should be reversed to allow statesto make that decision.” Said he would endfederal aid to Planned Parenthood.

DEBT

Obama: Failed in pledge to cut the def-icit “we inherited” by half by the end ofhis first term. The deficit when he tookoffice was $1.2 trillion, and the $800 billionstimulus bill Obama signed soon after-ward increased the shortfall to more than$1.4 trillion. The deficit for the recentlycompleted 2012 budget year registered at$1.2 trillion, marking the fourth consec-utive year of trillion-dollar-plus red ink.Now promises to cut projected deficits by$4 trillion over 10 years, a goal that willrequire Congress to raise the capitalgains tax, boost taxes on householdsearning more than $250,000 a year andimpose a minimum 30 percent tax onincomes above $1 million. The target alsoassumes a reduction in the amount ofinterest the government must pay on itsdebt and incorporates $1 trillion in cutsalready signed into law. Nation’s debtsurpassed $16 trillion this year. Federalspending is estimated at 23.5 percent ofgross domestic product this year, up fromabout 20 percent in the previous adminis-tration, and is forecast to decline to 21.8percent by 2016.

Romney: Promises to cut $500 billionper year from the federal budget by 2016 tobring spending below 20 percent of theU.S. economy and to balance it by 2020,but vital specifics are lacking. At thesame time would increase militaryspending, reverse $716 billion in Medi-care cuts and cut taxes. Defended 2008bailout of financial institutions as a nec-essary step to avoid the system’s collapse,opposed the bailout of General Motorsand Chrysler. Stayed silent on the debt-ceiling deal during its negotiation, only

announcing his opposition to the finalagreement shortly before lawmakers vot-ed on it. Instead, endorsed GOP “cut, capand balance” bill that had no chance ofenactment. Favors constitutional bal-anced budget amendment. Proposes 10percent cut in federal workforce, elim-ination of $1.6 billion in Amtrak subsidiesand cuts of $600 million in support for thearts and broadcasting.

ECONOMY

Obama: Term marked by high unem-ployment, a deep recession that began inprevious administration and officiallyended within six months, and gradualrecovery. Persistently high jobless ratesof over 8 percent until the rate dropped to7.8 in September, the same as it was inFebruary 2009, Obama’s first full monthin office. The rate hit a high of 10 percentin October 2009. Businesses have addedjobs for more than two years straightwhile public sector jobs have lagged.Obama responded to the recession with aroughly $800 billion stimulus plan thatnonpartisan Congressional BudgetOffice estimated cut the unemploymentrate by up to 1.8 percentage points. Con-tinued implementation of Wall Street andauto industry bailouts begun underGeorge W. Bush. Proposes tax breaks forU.S. manufacturers producing domesti-cally or repatriating jobs from abroadand tax penalties for U.S. companies out-sourcing jobs. Won approval of SouthKorea, Panama and Colombia free-tradepacts begun under previous administra-tion, completing the biggest round oftrade liberalization since the NorthAmerican Free Trade Agreement andother pacts went into effect in the 1990s.

Romney: Favors lower taxes, less regu-lation, balanced budget, more trade dealsto spur growth. Would replace joblessbenefits with unemployment savings ac-counts. Proposes replacing certain provi-sions of the law toughening financial in-dustry regulations after the meltdown inthat sector. Proposes changing the lawtightening accounting corporate regula-tions to ease requirements for mid-sizedcompanies. “We don’t want to tell theworld that Republicans are against allregulation. No, regulation is necessary tomake a free market work. But it has to be

updated and modern.”

EDUCATION

Obama: Has approved waivers freeingstates from the most onerous require-ments of the Bush-era No Child LeftBehind law with their agreement toimprove how they prepare and evaluatestudents. “Race to the Top” grant compe-tition has rewarded winning states withbillions of dollars for pursuing educationpolicies Obama supports. Won approvalfor a college tuition tax credit worth up to$10,000 over four years and more moneyfor Pell Grants for low-income college stu-dents. Wants Congress to agree to reducefederal aid to colleges that go too far inraising tuition. Average tuition at four-year public colleges surged 26 percent inhis term, by $1,800 to $8,655, as states cutaid, but federal grants and tax creditssheltered students from most of theincrease, leaving them paying only $570more.

Romney: Supported the federal ac-countability standards of No Child LeftBehind law. In 2007, said he was wrongearlier in career when he wanted theEducation Department shut because hecame to see the value of the federal gov-ernment in “holding down the interestsof the teachers’ unions” and putting kidsand parents first. Has said the studenttesting, charter-school incentives andteacher evaluation standards of Obama’s“Race to the Top” competition “makesense” although the federal governmentshould have less control of education.Says increases in federal student aidencourage tuition to go up, too. Wants tosee private lenders return to the federalstudent loan program.

ENERGY and ENVIRONMENT

Obama: Ordered temporary morato-rium on deep-water drilling after themassive BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico,but U.S. produced more oil in 2010 than ithas since 2003 and all forms of energyproduction have increased underObama. Approved drilling plan in ArcticOcean opposed by environmentalists.Proposes Congress give oil market regu-lators more power to control price manip-ulation by speculators and stiffer finesfor doing so. Sets goal of cutting oil

imports by half by 2020. Achieved historic increases in fuel

economy standards for automobiles thatwill save money at the pump while rais-ing the cost of new vehicles. Achievedfirst-ever regulations on heat-trappinggases blamed for global warming and ontoxic mercury pollution from powerplants. The rules on mercury could forcedozens of older coal-fired plants to shut orspend billions to upgrade. Spent heavilyon green energy and has embraced nucle-ar power as a clean source.

Failed to persuade a Democratic Con-gress to pass limits he promised on car-bon emissions. Shelved plan to toughenhealth standards on lung-damagingsmog. Rejected Keystone XL oil pipelinefrom Canada but supports fast-track ap-proval of a segment of it. Proposes endingsubsidies to oil industry but has failed topersuade Congress to do so.

Romney: Pledges U.S. will becomeindependent of energy sources outside ofNorth America by 2020, through moreaggressive exploitation of domestic oil,gas, coal and other resources and quickapproval of the Keystone XL pipeline.Supports opening the Atlantic and Pacif-ic outer continental shelves to drilling, aswell as Western lands, the ArcticNational Wildlife Refuge and offshoreAlaska. He also has proposed reducingobstacles to coal, natural gas and nuclearenergy development. Proposes accelerat-ing drilling permits in areas where explo-ration has already been approved for de-velopers with good safety records.

Says green power has yet to becomeviable and the causes of climate changeare unknown. Proposes to remove carbondioxide from list of pollutants controlledby Clean Air Act and amend clean waterand air laws to ensure the cost of com-plying with regulations is balancedagainst environmental benefit. Says capand trade would “rocket energy prices.”

TAXES

Obama: Wants to raise taxes on thewealthy and ensure they pay 30 percent oftheir income at minimum. Supportsextending Bush-era tax cuts for everyonemaking under $200,000, or $250,000 forcouples. But in 2010, agreed to a two-yearextension of the lower rates for all. Wantsto let the top two tax rates go back up 3 to 4percentage points to 39.6 percent and 36percent, and raise rates on capital gainsand dividends for the wealthy. Healthcare law provides for tax on highest-valuehealth insurance plans. Together withCongress, built a first-term record of sig-nificant tax cuts for families and busi-ness, some temporary.

Romney: Keep Bush-era tax cuts for allincomes and drop all tax rates further, by20 percent, bringing the top rate, for ex-ample, down to 28 percent from 35 percentand the lowest rate to 8 percent instead of10 percent. Curtail deductions, creditsand exemptions for the wealthiest. EndAlternative Minimum Tax for individu-als, eliminate capital gains tax for fam-ilies making below $200,000 and cut cor-porate tax to 25 percent from 35 percent.Does not specify which tax breaks or pro-grams he would curtail to help covercosts.

W H E R E T H E Y S T A N DTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Incumbent state Sen. JamesB. Eldridge, D-Acton, is beingchallenged this year by Repub-lican and former state Depart-ment of Transportation em-ployee Dean J. Cavaretta to keephis seat representing the Mid-dlesex and Worcester District.

Mr. Eldridge is running on hisrecord, which includes effortson anti-bullying laws, restoringlocal aid and increasing the useof renewable energy, which mayalso lead to job promotion.

Mr. Cavaretta said that whilehe is a Republican, he is the onlycandidate that can work withboth parties, having worked un-der both Republican and Demo-cratic governors.

The two candidates have beencampaigning since October 2011,outlining their stands on trans-portation, education reform andtax breaks, among other issues.

The Middlesex and WorcesterDistrict includes Acton, Ayer,Boxboro, Littleton, Shirley,Devens, Harvard, Stow, May-nard, Hudson, Marlboro, South-boro, Westboro, Northboro (Pre-

cinct 3) and Sudbury (Precincts2 and 3).

Mr. Eldridge has served as astate senator since 2009, afterhaving been a state representa-tive since 2002.

Mr. Cavaretta, a small busi-ness owner and substituteteacher in the Acton and Acton-Boxboro School District, is fa-miliar with the inner workingsof state politics, having not onlyworked for the MassachusettsDepartment of Transportationon the Accelerated Bridge Pro-gram, but also as the former dep-uty campaign manager forKaryn Polito in her bid for statetreasurer in 2010.

In the past year, Mr. Eldridgesaid, he has worked to improvelocal aid to school districts andpolice and fire departments, butnoted that while progress hasbeen made, state aid levels arenot back to pre-recession levels.

In addition, he said, he hasworked to make not only the leg-islative process more transpar-ent, but corporate tax creditstransparent as well. Mr.Eldridge also supports trans-portation projects to improveroads and bridges.

Edu-cationreform,acceler-atingtranspor-tation pro-jects; and

creating a betterbusiness climate are

the key issues of Mr. Cavaretta’scampaign. Mr. Cavaretta isagainst a higher gas tax and ahigher income tax, saying suchtaxes only further hurt workingfamilies. Rather, Mr. Cavarettawould like to roll back the salestax to 5 percent.

Education, transportation at center stageM I D D L E S E X A N D W O R C E S T E R D I S T R I C T

By Donna BoyntonTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WESTBORO

SOUTHBORO

MARLBORO

SHIRLEY

HARVARD

HUDSON

STOWMAYNARD

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AYER

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The two candidates for statesenator in the 2nd WorcesterDistrict have been very visibleduring the campaign season.

Incumbent DemocratMichael O. Moore of Millbury,who is seeking his third two-year term, said he has beenputting in many 12-hour daysthat include meeting withmany civic groups and othersin the district, while his oppo-nent, Auburn Republican Ste-phen R. Simonian, who is in histhird year as a selectman,recently estimated he hasknocked on more than 25,000doors since he started cam-paigning in March.

Mr. Moore, 49, is chairman ofthe Joint Committee on HigherEducation and vice chairman ofthe Joint Committee on PublicSafety and Homeland Security.

He said he has supported leg-islation that has brought morejobs to the area. He also said hehas backed legislation that haslowered fines that small busi-nesses in the state have to pay if

acertainpercentageof their employeesaren’t covered by medicalinsurance.

Mr. Moore describes him-self as a fiscal conservativewho said he is proud to havebeen a legislator at a time whenstate aid to the communities inhis district has increased eventhough the state’s economy hasbeen very sluggish. He saidMassachusetts is recoveringfaster from the recession thanmany other states.

Mr. Moore said he is liberalto moderate on social issues.For example, he is pro-choiceand said he has been endorsedby the Gun Owners ActionLeague.

Mr. Simonian, 49, who waslaid off last December at EMCafter working there for 14years, said the economy is

not doing as well as Mr.Moore asserts. He

said policiessupportedby Demo-

crats likeMr. Moore

have keptsmall compa-

nies from add-ing jobs. He said

excessive stateregulations hinder business

growth in the state.While Mr. Moore said the

state’s health care system is asuccess, Mr. Simonian saidimprovements can be made.

Mr. Simonian said he is afiscal conservative and notedthat as an Auburn selectman heplayed a role in keeping thefiscal 2013 tax rate from increas-ing while keeping town ser-vices the same.

Mr. Simonian said he issomewhat moderate on socialservices and believes “less gov-ernment is better.”

Rivals work hard on meeting constituents2 N D W O R C E S T E R D I S T R I C T

By Bill FortierTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

IncumbentAge: 49 Address: 7 MominDrive, Millbury Party affiliation:DemocratOccupation: Legisla-tor Education: Associatedegree, criminaljustice, Quinsigamond CommunityCollege; B.S. degree, law enforcement,and M.A., criminal justice, WesternNew England College.Political experience: State senator, 2ndWorcester District; Board of Selectmen;Committee on Public Safety and Home-land Security; Senate Committee onWays & Means and the Committee onPost Audit and OversightIssues: Job growth; tax relief for smallbusiness using benchmark-basedtriggers to systematic tax relief; usingprivate partnership and public invest-ment to make college more affordable.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: YesMedical use of marijuana: YesPersonal: Married, two children.

Michael O. Moore

Age: 49Address: 102 Rock-land Road, AuburnParty affiliation:RepublicanOccupation: Unem-ployedEducation: Associatedegree in architec-tural engineeringfrom Wentworth Institute of Tech-nology. Graduated from Naval NuclearPower SchoolPolitical experience: Current member ofthe Auburn Board of Selectmen; servedas a town meeting memberIssues: Need legislation to controltransitional assistance abuse by reelingin the use of EBT cards; need to putthe needs of the district first by havingthe local legislators commit to localfunding and projects; need to introduceserious pension reform. Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: NoMedical use of marijuana: NoPersonal: Married, three children

Stephen R. Simonian

Age: 41Address: Jay Lane,ActonParty: Republican Occupation: Principalof Gen X Consult-ing and substituteteacher Education: Bache-lor’s and master’sdegrees from Northeastern UniversityMilitary service: Massachusetts ArmyNational Guard 1995-97Political experience: Former member ofthe Acton Housing Authority and aformer member of the Stow FinanceCommitteeIssues: Education reform; health care;creating a better business climate andfaster completion of transportationprojects.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: NoMedical use of marijuana: YesPersonal: Single

Dean J. Cavaretta

AUBURNMILLBURY

WORCESTER

LEICESTERGRAFTON

UPTON

NORTHBRIDGE

SHREWSBURY

Second WorcesterSTATE SENATE

Incumbent Age: 39 Address: 267 Arling-ton St., Acton Party affiliation:DemocratOccupation: Statesenator, Middlesexand WorcesterDistrictEducation: J.D., Boston College LawSchool; B.A., Johns Hopkins UniversityPolitical experience: Commissioner, ActonHousing Authority, 2001-2002; associ-ate member, Acton Planning Board,2001-2002; state representative,2003-2009; state senator, 2009 topresent Issues: Economic development; supportfor low- and moderate-income families;improve public schools; provide affor-dable health care; public safety; affor-dable housing; environment; govern-ment and electoral reform. Ballot questions: Prescribing medication to end life: Yes Medical use of marijuana: Yes Personal: Single

James B. Eldridge

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Fostering economic develop-ment, creating jobs and multi-ple law enforcement investiga-tions involving a cocaine allega-tion have framed the debate inthe three-way contest for thenewly drawn 2nd Franklin Dis-trict.

State Rep. Denise Andrews,D-Orange, is challenged bySusannah M. Whipps Lee, a Re-publican from Athol, where sheis chairman of the Board of Se-lectmen. Richard F. Schober Jr.of Templeton is running as anindependent.

“Jobs, the housing crisis, andquality of education” are thebiggest concerns, Mr. Schober,55, said. At a recent debate theindependent candidate said hehas no chance of winning andwas aware of that when hedecided to seek the office.

Mr. Schober concedes that“the other two candidates arevery successful businesswomenoutside of government life,” butsays he continues to runbecause “neither of these candi-dates, I think, can truly under-stand what it’s like for what themajority of the residents of thisdistrict have to go through.”

Ms. Lee, 43, said, “The reason Ichose to run is because we havebeen inadequately representedby Ms. Andrews — I don’t thinkshe speaks for the people of thearea.”

Ms. Lee says that it was wrongof Ms. Andrews to accept a posi-tion with a large drug companywhile serving as a state rep.

“I think her taking a job at amultinational company in NewJersey was dishonest … she didnot expose it to the people of herdistrict; and I felt that was dis-honest.”

“Economic development andjobs” are the most importantissues facing the 2nd FranklinDistrict, Ms. Lee said.

“As the owner of a small butsuccessful corporation, I knowhow to build jobs, I am a jobcreator,” she said. She co-ownsWhipps Inc. in Athol.

“Clearly the top issues arejobs and economic development— people are still struggling toobtain work,” Ms. Andrews, 53,said. “I come from 30 years ofbusiness experience, buildingworld-class jobs. I know how tobuild collaboration and I knowhow to get deals done and pro-tect what is important to peo-ple.”

The incumbent said she hasbeen spearheading a 10-year eco-

nomic development plan in col-laboration with business andcommunity leaders called theSecond Franklin District Eco-nomic Development AdvisoryCouncil.

“What I bring from the pri-vate sector is concept, executionand sustainability; there aremany great ideas that if not exe-cuted do not help anybody,”Ms. Andrews said.

There was a cocainepossession accusationmade by the Democrat-ic incumbent in Augustagainst the Republicanchallenger. The Athol po-lice chief determined theallegation was false. But ques-tions raised by that investiga-tion — which includes theunauthorized release of a confi-dential police report —spawned a probe about possiblepolice misconduct as well anattorney general investigationand a continuing probe by thedistrict attorney.

The newly redrawn 2ndFranklin District includesAthol, Orange, Templeton, Erv-ing, Gill, Warwick, New Salem,Petersham, Phillipston, Royal-ston, Wendell and Precinct A ofBelchertown.

Jobs dominate 3-way contest 2 N D F R A N K L I N D I S T R I C T

By James F. RussellCORRESPONDENT

IncumbentAge: 53Address: 21Beach Lane,OrangeParty affil-iation: Demo-cratOccupation:LegislatorEducation: Bachelor of Science inchemical engineering from theUniversity of Massachusetts atAmherst, Master of BusinessAdministration from Xavier Uni-versityPolitical experience: State repre-sentative of the 2nd FranklinDistrictIssues: Job creation through eco-nomic development; constituentservices; high-quality educationthat is accessible to all throughfiscal responsibility and innovation;environment and renewable re-sources. Ballot questions: Prescribing medication to end life: Yes Medical use of marijuana: Yes Personal: Married to Candi Fetzer

Denise Andrews

Age: 55 Address: 39B Cot-tage Lane, Temple-tonParty affiliation:IndependentOccupation: Web andgraphic designerEducation: Bache-lor’s degree inEnglish, University of Massachusetts atAmherstPolitical experience: Narragansett RegionalSchool Committee 2006-2007Issues: Living-wage job creation; localeconomic revitalization; health carereform; more state funding for publicschools and regional school trans-portation; more oversight of specialbusiness tax breaks; automatic fore-closure protection for involuntarilyunemployed homeowners; campaignfinance reform.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: YesMedical use of marijuana: YesPersonal: Married to Maureen; fourdaughters: Saffron, 16, Ameriah, 13,Noelani, 11, Keziah, 7

Richard F. Schober Jr.

Age: 43Address:1192 MainSt., AtholParty affil-iation:RepublicanOccupation:Co-owner,Whipps Inc.in AtholEducation: Graduated from John-son & Wales University; gradu-ated from Mount WachusettCommunity CollegePolitical experience: chairman,Athol Board of SelectmenIssues: Economic development;job creation; find ways to bringenterprise and industry to thedistrict; accountability in govern-ment, and responsibility in themanagement of taxpayer dollars. Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life:Undecided Medical use of marijuana: No Personal: Married to Dr. Lac V.Lee

Susannah M. Whipps Lee

TEMPLETON

PHILLIPSTON

PETERSHAM

ATHOLORANGE

ROYALSTONWARWICK

WENDELL

ERVING

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NEW SALEM

BELCHERTOWN

2nd FranklinSTATE REPRESENTATIVE

U.S. Rep. Richard E. NealD-Springfield

U.S. Rep. James P. McGovernD-Worcester

State Sen. Stanley C. RosenbergD-Amherst

State Sen. Harriette L. ChandlerD-Worcester

State Sen. Stephen M. BrewerD-Barre

State Sen. Jennifer L. FlanaganD-Leominster

State Sen. Richard T. MooreD-Uxbridge

State Rep. Todd M. SmolaR-Palmer

State Rep. Sheila C. HarringtonR-Groton

State Rep. Jennifer E. BensonD-Lunenburg

State Rep. Kimberly N. FergusonR-Holden

State Rep. Stephen L. DiNataleD-Fitchburg

State Rep. Paul K. FrostR-Auburn

State Rep. George N. Peterson Jr.R-Grafton

State Rep. John V. FernandesD-Milford

State Rep. Matthew A. BeatonR-Shrewsbury

State Rep. Harold P. Naughton Jr.D-Clinton

State Rep. John J. MahoneyD-Worcester

State Rep. John P. FresoloD-Worcester

Governor’s Council, 7th DistrictJennie L. CaissieR-Oxford

Worcester County Clerk of CourtsDennis P. McManus D-West Boylston

Worcester District Register ofDeeds

Anthony J. VigliottiD-Worcester

Unopposedcandidates

It will be déjà vu for voters inthe 3rd Middlesex District whenthey go to the polls Nov. 6.

The two candidates for thestate House of Representativesseat squared off two years ago.

Then incumbent state Rep.Kate Hogan, D-Stow, firstelected to the 3rd Middlesex Dis-trict seat in 2008, easily fendedoff political novice Charles S.“Chuck” Kuniewich Jr. Mr.Kuniewich, a Republican fromHudson, previously ran as anindependent.

Voters should have a clearchoice between the two.

Before becoming a state law-maker, Ms. Hogan, 55, was asmall-business owner in theprinting and publishing indus-try for 20 years. She also workedin public affairs and served onthe Democratic Town Commit-tee in Maynard and Stow. She isalso a former member of theCouncil on Aging and the Com-

munity Preservation Board inStow.

Mr. Kuniewich, 52, has neverheld an elected position. He is aformer auto mechanic who nowoperates a fish aquarium main-tenance business. Mr. Kuniew-ich said his small-business ex-perience gives him the ability tobalance his “independent min-dedness” with his “keen abilityto listen.”

Mr. Kuniewich said he isknocking on doors throughoutthe district to add to the namerecognition he gained from the2010 election.

Ms. Hogan said she is count-ing on the work she has done forconstituents during her fouryears in the Legislature.

She is chairman of the Tele-communications, Utility & En-ergy Committee, chairman ofthe Public Libraries Caucus, co-chairman of the Elder Caucusand a legislative liaison to thestate Interagency CoordinatingCouncil.

The candidates are apart

when asked about what theythink are the most importantissues facing the state.

Mr. Kuniewich said more jobsneed to be created. Also, he said,constituents that he has spokenwith on the campaign trail havestressed to him that the stateneeds to reduce and simplifyregulations.

Ms. Hogan said her highestpriority is advocating forproper funding for public educa-tion, police and fire protectionand Chapter 90 funds for roads,bridges and infrastructure.

She also adamantly supportsfire safety education for seniorcitizens and the expansion ofthe public transportation sys-

tem.The 3rd Middlesex District

consists of Bolton and the Mid-dlesex County towns of Hudson,Maynard and Stow.

Rematch offers clear choice of candidates3 R D M I D D L E S E X D I S T R I C T

By Elaine ThompsonTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

BOLTON

HUDSON

MAYNARD STOW

3rd MiddlesexSTATE REPRESENTATIVE Age: 52

Address: 33 TempleAve., Hudson Party affiliation:Republican Occupation: Owner,fish aquariummaintenancebusiness Education: 1987Marlboro High School graduatePolitical experience: None Issues: Job creation, prioritizing spend-ing and reducing and simplifyingregulations Ballot questions: Prescribing medication to end life: Yes Medical use of marijuana: No Personal: Single

Charles “Chuck” S. Kuniewich Jr.

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MARLBORO — The candi-dates vying for the 4th Middle-sex District seat in the stateHouse of Representatives haveeach served one term in the post.

That’s why for Danielle W.Gregoire, a Marlboro Democrat,Nov. 6 will be the chance for herto reclaim the seat she waselected to in 2008, but lost to Ste-ven L. Levy, a Republican, alsofrom Marlboro, two years later.

Ms. Gregoire, 33, a lawyer,worked as a legislative aide forseven years for former 4th Mid-dlesex District Rep. StephenLeDuc. When he stepped downin 2008, Ms. Gregoire fought atough race to succeed her for-mer boss by defeating longtimelocal politician Arthur Vigeant,who is now mayor.

She easily won the Sept. 6state Democratic primary overJoseph P. Collins Sr., 35, also aMarlboro resident who works infinances at a Boston law firm.But, the race between Ms. Gre-goire and Mr. Levy is expectedto be hard fought and close invotes.

Both Mr. Levy, 47, an account-

ant and former three-term citycouncilor-at-large, and Ms. Gre-goire have the reputation forworking hard for the district.The candidates, however, saythey give voters a clear choicebased on their priorities, styleand legislative record.

Ms. Gregoire said that duringthe two years she representedthe district, some of her majoraccomplishments includedvoting against several taxincreases; preventing twoscheduled toll increases for Met-rowest commuters; helping tore-structure the state’s trans-portation agency, thereby sav-ing taxpayers some $20 billionover the next 20 years; procur-ing funding for the NewEngland Center for Children, aschool for autistic children inSouthboro; and creating a day inhonor of the late Eunice Ken-nedy Shriver, founder of SpecialOlympics.

Mr. Levy serves on the HouseCommittee on Bonding, CapitalExpenditures and State Assets;and on the joint committees onRevenue, and State Administra-tion and Regulatory Oversight.He said that he is one of 36 mem-bers of the House of Representa-

tives who have perfect attend-ance and voting records.

He said that some of hisaccomplishments have beensuccessfully voting for passageof Melissa’s Law, whichincreases prison time for habit-ual offenders; municipal healthinsurance reforms; and placinglimits on the Electronic BenefitsTransfer program; andincreases in local aid, assist-ance to veterans, Chapter 90Transportation funding, Chap-ter 70 public education funding,and the Special Education Cir-cuit Breaker funding.

When Ms. Gregoire and Mr.Levy ran against each other in2008, the 4th Middlesex District

consisted of all of Marlboro, Ber-lin and Precinct 1 in Southboro.As a result of redistricting, thedistrict now is made up of 10 ofthe 14 precincts in Marlboro,and Precincts 1 and 3 in North-boro and Westboro.

Candidates each seek second term in seat4 T H M I D D L E S E X D I S T R I C T

By Elaine ThompsonTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

IncumbentAge: 55 Address: 36 Hasti-ngs St., StowParty affiliation:DemocratOccupation: Legisla-tor Education: B.A.degree in educa-tion, University of Massachusetts atAmherstPolitical experience: Two terms as staterepresentative of the 3rd MiddlesexDistrict; Stow Democratic Town Commit-tee, 2007-2008; officer, Middlesex andWorcester Democrats, 2006-2008;co-chairman, Maynard DemocraticCommittee, 1999-2006Issues: Education and school funding;infrastructure; public transportation; andexpansion of the Student AwarenessFire Education program to senior citi-zens Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: YesMedical use of marijuana: NoPersonal: Married

Kate Hogan

Incumbent Age: 47 Address: 61 O’GradyRoad, MarlboroParty: RepublicanOccupation: Repre-sentative, 4thMiddlesex District;accountantEducation: M.B.A.,finance, Boston College; B.B.A., ac-counting/information technology,Baylor University.Political experience: One term as staterepresentative, 4th Middlesex District;three terms as Marlboro city councilor-at-large; member of the MarlboroRepublican City Committee, 2002 topresent; chairman, Marlboro RepublicanCity Committee, 2004-2008Issues: Fiscal responsibility; job creation;economic development; education;child protection laws; openness ingovernment by removing the currentsystem of voice votes and closed-doordebates.Ballot questions: Prescribing medication to end life: No Medical use of marijuana: No Personal: Married to Sharon; two daugh-ters: Rebecca and Ashley

Steven L. Levy

Age: 33Address: 175 MapleSt., MarlboroParty affiliation:Democrat Occupation: Lawyer Education: J.D.,Suffolk UniversityLaw School; B.A.,criminal justice,Saint Anselm CollegePolitical experience: One term as staterepresentativeIssues: Address the area’s transportationissues; restore local aid; economicgrowth; job creationBallot questions: Prescribing medication to end life: Didn’trespond Medical use of marijuana: Didn’t respond Personal: Single

Danielle W. Gregoire

WESTBORO

NORTHBORO

MARLBORO

4th MiddlesexSTATE REPRESENTATIVE

GARDNER — State Rep.Richard M. Bastien, R-Gardner,will not apologize for support-ing the $100,000 for repairs to theHeritage State Park building onLake Street.

He also is unapologetic abouthow he feels about casino gam-bling in the state. He supportscasinos and he would like to seethe 2nd Worcester District bene-fit from one.

Democrat Jonathan D. Zlot-nik, 22, of Gardner, Mr. Bas-tien’s opponent in the Nov. 6election, is equally unapologeticabout opposing casino gamblingand said he would have found abetter use for the $100,000 in thecity than to fix the building thestate has neglected for manyyears.

Those two issues separate thetwo candidates who are vying torepresent Gardner, Ashburn-ham, Winchendon and part ofWestminster in the state Houseof Representatives.

Mr. Bastien is completing hisfirst two-year term in the Legis-

lature and has received strongsupport from Republican lead-ers, including former candidatefor governor Charles Baker, andGail Huff, wife of U.S. Sen. ScottBrown, R-Mass.

Mr. Zlotnik has never heldpublic office but did work forformer state Rep. Robert Ricewhen he represented the 2ndWorcester District in the Legis-lature. Mr. Rice is supportingMr. Zlotnik as is former Demo-cratic state Rep. RaymondLaFontaine, who also once rep-resented the district.

Both candidates say the mainissue in this race for them is theeconomy. Mr. Bastien said theGreater Gardner area has seensigns of improvement in thepast two years, but still lagsbehind the rest of the state. Likethe rest of Massachusetts, theunemployment rate has gonedown, but it remains high.

Mr. Bastien said he willoppose increasing the sales taxto prevent businesses in citiesand towns along the state’snorthern tier from losing cus-tomers to New Hampshire. He

also said he is an advocate of thestate designating Gardner aGateway City like Fitchburgand Leominster, which wouldopen up more state money andother resources to the commu-nity.

Mr. Zlotnik said he hopes todevelop the 2nd Worcester Dis-trict as a business incubator ar-ea where the resources of thedistrict could be made availableto new small businesses hopingto start up or grow.

No apologies from Gardner candidates2 N D W O R C E S T E R D I S T R I C T

By George BarnesTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

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Improving education andreducing unemployment are thetop issues facing the 8th Mid-dlesex District, and both incum-bent state Rep. Carolyn C.Dykema, D-Holliston, and Re-publican Martin A. Lamb havetheir own ideas about how toaddress those needs on a localand statewide level.

Mr. Lamb, a small-businessowner, vows to bring leader-ship, new ideas that will create abetter business environmentand create a more transparentgovernment. Ms. Dykema said,if re-elected, she will continueher work strengthening localcommunities through state aid,job creation and reforms toimprove efficiency.

As she campaigns, Ms.Dykema is hearing growingfrustration from constituentsabout political gridlock at thefederal level, but said that inMassachusetts, there is broadbipartisan support for health

care and edu-cation fundingand support for vet-erans’ programs. Mr.Lamb, too, has heard the dis-trict’s frustration and concernsabout the economic outlook,taxes and lack of integritywithin the Legislature.

First elected as a state repre-sentative in 2008, Ms. Dykemadefines herself as a full-time leg-islator, working to find stateprograms and opportunitiesthat her district can take advan-tage of to not only strengthenthe community, but benefit resi-

dents and businesses. Ms. Dykema said the top

issues facing the district andstate are job creation in theMetroWest region and state-wide; improving education andincreasing the efficiency of gov-ernment services to get the

highest return on tax dollars. If elected, Mr. Lambvows to bring new

ideas and strongleadership to Bea-

con Hill with afocus on

reform andmaking the state

more business-friendly. He said he will

also be a strong presence in thedistrict with weekly officehours.

A small-business owner him-self, Mr. Lamb said he has devel-oped a plan to reduce unemploy-ment and create economic secu-rity.

Mr. Lamb will work for amore transparent government.

Voters want jobs, not political gridlock 8 T H M I D D L E S E X D I S T R I C T

By Donna BoyntonTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Incumbent Age: 44 Address:429 Marshall St.,HollistonParty affiliation:DemocratOccupation: Legisla-torEducation: M.B.A.,Indiana University;B.A., Wellesley CollegePolitical experience: 8th Middlesex Districtrepresentative, Holliston WastewaterCommittee, Holliston Planning Board,MetroWest Growth Management Coun-cil, legislative committees Issues: Promote job creation in Met-roWest and statewide; improve educa-tional opportunity for our children;increase efficiency of governmentservices.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: Unde-cidedMedical use of marijuana: No Personal: Married to William; threechildren: David, Julia and Andrew

Carolyn C. Dykema

Age: 55 Address: 57 WingateRoad, HollistonParty affiliation:RepublicanOccupation: Realestate attorney/small-businessowner, 1996 topresentEducation: J.D., Benjamin Cardozo Schoolof Law at Yeshiva University; B.A.,political science, Hampshire College.Political Experience: Has never held publicoffice Issues: Revive the economy; job cre-ation; cut government spending; endillegal immigration; restore integrity toBeacon Hill.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: No Medical use of marijuana: NoPersonal: Married to Peri; two children:Elissa, Simma

Martin A. Lamb

IncumbentAge: 38Address: 72 East-wood Circle,GardnerParty affiliation:RepublicanOccupation: Staterepresentative forthe 2nd WorcesterDistrict, educator and former retailstore managerEducation: Graduated cum laude fromFitchburg State College with a degreein history and a minor in politicalscience, education license to teachhistory to Grades 8-12.Political experience: Massachusetts Houseof Representatives 2010 to presentMilitary experience: U.S. Navy veteranIssues: Will continue to support currentbusinesses and create more jobs; pushfor more funding for state scholarshipsand demand accountability on highereducation salaries; continue fighting tolower taxes. Ballot questions:Prescribed medication to end life: NoMedical marijuana: NoPersonal: Married to Lauren, one son

Richard M. Bastien

Age: 22 Address: 86 ChelseaSt., Gardner Party: DemocratOccupation: Student Education: B.A. inhistory, Universityof Massachusettsat LowellPolitical Experience:Has never held office. Worked forformer state Rep. Robert Rice as alegislative intern from June 2008through August 2009Issues: Bring in revenue and createdevelopment without raising taxes;lower tax rates and incentivize newbusinesses and spending; boost publiceducation by contributing state andfederal money to the district.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: No Medical use of marijuana: No Personal: Single

Jonathan D. Zlotnik

HOLLISTON

HOPKINTON

SOUTHBORO

WESTBORO

8th MiddlesexSTATE REPRESENTATIVE

ASHBURNHAM

GARDNER

WINCHENDON

WESTMINSTER

2nd WorcesterSTATE REPRESENTATIVE

SPENCER — State Rep. AnneM. Gobi emulates her mentor,state Sen. Stephen M. Brewer,D-Barre, in making constituentservices for individuals andcommunities in the 5th Worces-ter District a priority.

Republican challenger JasonM. Petraitis cites his four years’experience as a North Brook-field selectman in being recep-tive to the needs of residents.

As House chair of the JointCommittee on Environment,Natural Resources and Agricul-ture, Ms. Gobi recognizes theimportance of that assignmentnot only to her district, but forcities and towns from Pittsfieldto Provincetown.

Mr. Petraitis has campaignedon the promise of smaller gov-ernment, citing higher thannecessary taxes and stricterthan needed regulations forstalling the state’s economicrecovery.

“Residents, and the smallbusinesses they worked for, areleaving the state in search ofgreater economic opportunity

and quality oflife else-where,” Mr.Petraitis said.

Two years ago RepublicanRodney A. Josephson of Barrepolled nearly 35 percent of votescast in the 5th Worcester Dis-trict in his challenge of Ms.Gobi.

Mr. Josephson ran a low-keycampaign, going door-to-doormeeting voters in the majorityof the district towns, which at

the time stretched north toTempleton. Josephson

campaign signs wereas few as politicalads for the candi-

date’s first bid forstate office.

Despite a 14- to 30-pointlead in state polls for Presi-dent Barack Obama overMitt Romney, Ms. Gobi saidshe’s taking nothing for

granted.Mr. Petraitis is opti-

mistic his message ofsmaller government

and lower taxes will res-onate with voters in therealigned district thatincludes all the Brook-fields, the five towns of

the Quabbin RegionalSchool District and precincts inWare and Spencer.

Ms. Gobi is confident her re-cord of service will be para-mount with voters going to thepolls.

“From day one, I’ve said theissues at the Statehouse areimportant, but it’s what hap-pens at your house that mattersmost to me; how I might be ofservice,” Ms. Gobi said.

Constituents are the focus of Gobi, Petraitis 5 T H W O R C E S T E R D I S T R I C T

By Bradford L. MinerTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

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LEOMINSTER — Two-term Democrat Dennis A.Rosa will face Republicanchallenger Justin A. BrooksTuesday for the state repre-sentative seat for the 4thWorcester District, whichrepresents Leominster.

Both say bringing jobs tothe district is their top pri-ority.

Mr. Brooks, 37, a market-ing consultant, said CentralMassachusetts lags behindthe state in recent jobgrowth, and blames the lossof business on cripplingtaxes and increased regula-tions.

Mr. Rosa, 65, the owner ofthree small local businesses,recently finished working ona 115-page economic devel-opment bill in the House,and intends to make sure theLegislature follows through.

“I have had to write busi-ness plans in my own busi-

nesses for 37 years,” he said.“I know what it’s like tocreate a job and I know whatit’s like to make a budget.I’m actually a job creator.”

Mr. Brooks said ratherthan sending large Housebills like the one Mr. Rosamentioned to study commit-tees, he would encouragemore roll call votes, floordebates, and faster decisionmaking. Mainly, he is call-ing for greater transparency,ethics and reform.

Mr. Rosa, an Air Forceveteran who served in theVietnam War, is the vicechairman of the House JointCommittee on Public Safety,

and sits on the Joint Com-mittees on Veterans andFederal Affairs, and ElectionLaws.

His goals are job creation,funding for education,including the new Leomin-ster Innovation School andnew Center for ExcellenceSchool; infrastructureimprovement and money forhuman services.

Mr. Brooks, a LeominsterHigh School wrestling star,calls for increased local aid.He supports school choice,home schooling and estab-lishing charter schools,along with stronger puni-shment for habitual violentcriminals, especially sex of-fenders, and eliminating theuse of taxpayer money forundocumented immigrants.

He has pledged not to votefor tax increases and to limithis term to eight years (fourtwo-year terms.)

Economic issues, job creation shape race4 T H W O R C E S T E R D I S T R I C T

By Karen NugentTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

LEOMINSTER

4th WorcesterSTATE REPRESENTATIVEIncumbent

Age: 65Address: 40 Royal Oaks Way,LeominsterParty affiliation: DemocratOccupation: Legislator, ownerof three small businessesEducation: Associate degree inbusiness technology, MountWachusett CommunityCollege in GardnerPolitical experience: State representative for 4thWorcester District since 2009; chairman, Leomin-ster Industrial Development Commission for eightyears; Leominster City Council 20 years, including11 years as Finance Committee chairman.Military experience: Four years in U.S. Air Force;Vietnam veteranIssues: Promise to continue job growth and vote forprograms that push the economy forward and putpeople back to work; advocate for educationalfunding; fight for infrastructure improvementthrough funding to repair and replace roads andbridges.Ballot questions: Prescribing medication to end life: NoMedical use of marijuana: NoPersonal: Widower; two children, seven grand-children

Dennis A. Rosa

Age: 37Address: 252Spruce St., Leo-minsterParty affiliation:RepublicanOccupation: Market-ing consultant Education: Dualbachelor’sdegrees in criminal justice and historyat LaSalle University in Philadelphia Political experience: Has held no politicalofficeIssues: Bolstering our economy andgetting Massachusetts citizens backto work through local businesses;ensuring legislative reform to increasetransparency, which means moreroll-call votes, more floor debates, andmaking decisions on bills that havebeen sent off to “study” indefinitely;maintaining constituency relations.Ballot questions: Prescribing medication to end life: No Medical use of marijuana: NoPersonal: Single

Justin A. Brooks

IncumbentAge: 49 Address: 117 Me-chanic St., SpencerParty affiliation:DemocratOccupation: Legisla-tor, lawyerEducation: WorcesterState College, B.S.,and Massachusetts School of Law, J.D. Political experience: State representative,5th Worcester District, since 2001, andserved as a member of the SpencerDemocratic Town Committee, threeyears.Issues: Strengthening the small-businesseconomy, including the agriculturalsector; supporting veterans’ programsand programs for military families,along with senior citizens and theirpersonal care choices; addressingschool funding issues and enhancingpublic safety.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: YesMedical use of marijuana: YesPersonal: Single

Anne M. Gobi

Age: 39Address: 22 SmithHanson Road,North BrookfieldParty affiliation:RepublicanOccupation: Carpen-ter Education: Graduateof PathfinderRegional Vocational Technical HighSchool, enrolled at Worcester StateUniversity as a history major with aneducation and political science minorPolitical experience: Four years on theBoard of SelectmenIssues: Taxes are too high, making it toodifficult to live and do business inMassachusetts. Farms, contractors,and other small businesses are over-regulated. The bailout of Massachu-setts Bay Transportation Authority andthe change in the state health carelaws are detrimental to well-being ofdistrict residents.Ballot questions: Prescribing medication to end life: NoMedical use of marijuana: UndecidedPersonal: Married with one child

Jason M. Petraitis

WARE

HARDWICK

NEW BRAINTREE

NORTH BROOKFIELD

WEST BROOKFIELD

SPENCER

EASTBROOKFIELD

BROOKFIELD

HUBBARDSTON

BARRE

OAKHAM

5th WorcesterSTATE REPRESENTATIVE

The race for the 6th Worces-ter District House seat kickedinto high gear in recent weekswhen the incumbent said hischallenger dipped into hertown’s rainy day fund for per-sonal pet projects, while thechallenger countered that therepresentative did not do muchfor Southbridge victims of theJune 1, 2011, tornado.

Charlton Democrat KathleenWalker is challenging Peter J.Durant, R-Spencer, for the seatin the Nov. 6 election.

A retired lease negotiatorand site acquisition specialistfor the postal service, Ms.Walker said that experiencegave her the skills to have influ-ence on Beacon Hill.

She is a 10-year selectmanand Mr. Durant was one for sixyears before deciding not toseek re-election this year inSpencer.

Both candidates stress re-cords that they say show theywork hard for their constitu-

ents.Ms. Walker said her main

objective is to bring WorcesterCounty together as one voice soit is valued and paid attentionto on Beacon Hill. She said sherecently helped re-launch anassociation of countywide se-lectmen to further that goal.

But Mr. Durant said the Cen-tral Massachusetts RegionalPlanning Commission’s Cen-tral 13 Prioritization Project al-ready helps serve that function.On Sept. 10, the agency held asession at which, Mr. Durantsaid, he met with every townadministrator in his district.

Ms. Walker said her accom-plishments include initiatingand organizing a twice yearlymeeting of all boards and com-mittees in Charlton, puttingtogether candidates nights forCharlton residents, and reviv-ing and spurring changes to atax work-off program for seniorcitizens.

Mr. Durant said his cam-paign continues to focus on theeconomy and getting peopleback to work in good paying

jobs. He saidthe district hashigh-techmanufac-turingjobs, andademandfor people with the skills to fillthem. He said he looks to workwith educators to join in thateffort.

Mr. Durant seeks his first fullterm. He defeated Geraldo Ali-cea, a Charlton Democrat whohad served two terms in theHouse, and independents PeterJ. Boria of Charlton and RobertJ. Cirba of Spencer in a May2011 special election. A judgedeclared the 2010 election be-tween Mr. Durant and Mr. Ali-cea a tie.

Rivals cite records of work for constituents6 T H W O R C E S T E R D I S T R I C T

By Brian LeeTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

SPENCER

CHARLTON

SOUTHBRIDGE DUDLEY


IncumbentAge: 47Address: 109 Charl-ton Road, SpencerParty affiliation:Republican Occupation: Formervice president ofservice, YankeeTechnology,LudlowEducation: B.S., political science, North-eastern University in BostonPolitical experience: Elected state repre-sentative in a special election, May2011; six years, Board of Selectmen;seven years, Finance CommitteeIssues: Boosting the economy andgetting people back to work throughregulatory reform; improve employmentopportunities through access to educa-tion; eliminate the corporate minimumtax of $500 for the first three years ofa company starting up. Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: No Medical use of marijuana: NoPersonal: Married to Lisa Durant

Peter J. Durant

Age: 70Address: 96DBaker Pond Road,Charlton Party affiliation:DemocratOccupation: Retiredfrom the postalservice as a leasenegotiatorEducation: Bachelor’s degree, sociology/anthropology, Northeastern UniversityPolitical experience: Served 10 years onCharlton Board of Selectmen, nineyears on Burlington Board of Health,and served on other appointed boardsand commissions.Issues: Invest in small businesses toenhance local economy; improveaccess to vital senior citizen programsthat work to benefit more than 5,000local seniors; and increase educationalfunding and higher standards to boostthe public schools in the area.Ballot questions: Prescribed medication to end life: YesMedical use of marijuana: YesPersonal: Married to Mike Lally

Kathleen Walker

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In a district that now clus-ters close to the Rhode Islandborder instead of stretchingacross Southern WorcesterCounty, the race for state rep-resentative in the 8th Worces-ter District focuses on whowould be the better man tobring economic relief.

Incumbent Kevin J. Kuros,R-Uxbridge, said that unem-ployment and accessingMassHealth benefits are theNo. 1 calls his office receives.His work to address local eco-nomic concerns includeshelping bring back more localaid and serving on a biparti-san conference committee topass a jobs bill. The jobs billfeatured incentives for com-panies to invest in the stateand hire interns educated inthe state.

Mr. Kuros also advocatesfor a meals tax holiday toboost restaurant hiring andconsumer spending. And hehopes to strengthen the bill

passed this session to curbabuse of electronic benefitcards, which would savemoney that could be used forlocal aid and other programs.

Challenger Robert J.Dubois, a Blackstone Demo-crat who served for 24 yearson the Board of Selectmen,including 11 as chairman,said the state needs to investmore in education and train-ing, particularly in healthcare, technology and sciencefields, to help people gaingood jobs.

He said that in arecession, in par-

ticular, invest-ment in jobtraining and ininfrastructureprojects wouldhelp get theeconomy mov-ing again.

Mr. Duboisalso advocatedfor establishingbusiness taxcredits, credits

for hiring veteransand the unemployed, low-interest loans for small busi-nesses, and easing regulationon business start-ups.

This is the second run forstate representative by Mr.Dubois. He lost to JenniferCallahan by two votes in theprimary in 2002.

Mr. Dubois is endorsed bythe Massachusetts TeachersAssociation.

The Restaurant and Busi-ness Alliance named Mr.Kuros one of the “Great 8”legislators in the last session.

Jobs, training and economic relief sought 8 T H W O R C E S T E R D I S T R I C T

By Susan SpencerTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Age: 59Address: 56 EdgewaterDrive, BlackstoneParty affiliation: Demo-cratOccupation: Owner ofBP Taxes, employedat Worcester CountyHouse of CorrectionEducation: Associatedegree, Quinsigamond Community College;Bachelor of Arts, business management,Bryant CollegePolitical experience: Served on Board ofSelectmen 24 years, 11 as chairman;Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals.Issues: He sees the economy and jobcreation as today’s top issues. He wouldlike to boost the economy by easingregulation on small businesses, advocatefor more money to be put into job trainingprograms to increase employment, andpush for tax incentives to encourage hiring.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: NoMedical use of marijuana: YesPersonal: Married to Patricia, three step-children

Robert J. Dubois

IncumbentAge: 47Address: 18 YankeesWay, UxbridgeParty affiliation:RepublicanOccupation: Legisla-tor, owner of smallreal estate firm,technology andmanagement consultantEducation: B.S. degree, quantitative busi-ness analysis, Pennsylvania State Uni-versity Political experience: One term as staterepresentative; two terms Board of Select-men; seven years Uxbridge School Build-ing CommitteeIssues: Encourage job expansion by cre-ating an environment of less governmentintervention in private businesses; contin-ue focus on reducing government waste,fraud and abuse, such as closing the cashoption on EBT cards.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: NoMedical use of marijuana: NoPersonal: Married to Linda, two sons

Kevin J. Kuros

UXBRIDGE

BLACKSTONEMILLVILLE

BELLINGHAM


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Voters in West Boylston andnorthern Worcester will have theirchoice of an incumbent Democrat,a Republican and an independentto serve as the next 14th WorcesterDistrict state representative.

Republican William J. McCar-thy, a professor of criminal justiceat Quinsigamond Community Col-lege, and Winthrop Handy, an inde-pendent and a West Boylston busi-nessman, want the seat held foralmost six years by DemocratJames J. O’Day of West Boylston.

Mr. McCarthy is a Republicanstate committeeman in Worcesterand president of the WorcesterCounty Republican Club. Heattacks Mr. O’Day for proposingand supporting higher taxes.

Mr. McCarthy says that he wantsto meet with small-business own-ers and do what they want to createnew jobs in that important sector.The former Connecticut statetrooper also wants to crack downon welfare fraud by placing addi-tional restrictions on EBT cards.

Mr. Handy says he will not beautomatically voting with eitherthe Republicans or Democrats, butis more in tune with the voters,most of whom are unenrolled ineither party, as he is. Mr. Handyhas been an elected member of theWest Boylston Light Board for 15years.

Job creation is at the top of hislist of priorities, and one way hefavors creating them is to locatetwo casinos at Worcester RegionalAirport. Mr. Handy also wants totake advantage of the expertiseavailable through Worcester Poly-technic Institute’s Venture Forumand the Worcester College Consor-tium.

Mr. Handy wants to fix a host ofills, from the state’s failure to reim-burse West Boylston for ice stormdamage to reimbursements for thecost that residents and rate payerspay for installing sewers and up-grading the sewage treatmentplant in Millbury for the benefit ofBoston-area water quality.

Mr. O’Day, who was a socialworker for the state Department ofSocial Services for 24 years beforehis election, says he continues tofight to improve the lives of chil-dren and families through his workon the joint committees on Chil-dren, Families and Persons withDisabilities and on Mental Healthand Substance Abuse.

Like his more conservative oppo-nents, Mr. O’Day says that job cre-ation is a top priority. He sup-ported an economic developmentand jobs bill that promotes smallbusiness assistance and invest-ment in infrastructure; a bill tobring $10 billion to the state for new

biotech and life sciences jobs,and the Gateway Cities Initia-tive.

He defends his proposal toincrease the state income tax,saying that revenue is needed toimprove the quality of life thatresidents deserve and busi-nesses consider when theydeliberate on where to locate.While people making $200,000would contribute $500 more intaxes, Mr. O’Day said, the billincludes exemptions that wouldprevent low- and moderate-income taxpayers from payingmore in taxes.

Three vying for state rep. seat1 4 T H W O R C E S T E R D I S T R I C T

By Lee Hammel TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

IncumbentAge: 58Address: 41 Winthrop St.,West Boylston Party affiliation: DemocratOccupation: Representa-tive of the 14th Worces-ter DistrictEducation: B.S. in urbanstudies and manage-ment, Worcester State CollegePolitical experience: Five years in the Mas-sachusetts House of Representatives, mem-ber of the West Boylston Town DemocraticCommitteeIssues: Jobs have to be the most importantissue facing my district, the Commonwealth,and the country. We need to develop policyproposals that promote economic devel-opment, growth, and job creation across thestate. We need to provide enough local aidso our communities can afford high-qualityeducation, services and protection for seniorcitizens, environmental protection, publicsafety, veterans services and repairs to ourcrumbling infrastructure.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: YesMedical use of marijuana: YesPersonal: Married to Marybeth Murphy O’Day,four children.

James J. O’Day

Age: 47Address: 16 BirminghamRoad, Worcester Party affiliation: RepublicanOccupation: Professor ofcriminal justice atQuinsigamond Commu-nity College, BeckerCollege and AssumptionCollege.Education: Ph.D., human resource/workforcedevelopment, Louisiana State University;master’s degree in public administration fromClark University; B.S. in social relations fromAnna Maria CollegePolitical experience: Has never held publicoffice. Issues: Lower taxes; reform the ElectronicBenefit Transfer cards and welfare system toprevent welfare beneficiaries from purchasingsuch items as cigarettes, alcohol and lotterytickets with taxpayer money, while makingsure recipients are getting necessities; devel-op job opportunities by working with smallbusinesses so they can invest, hire, orexpand.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: NoMedical use of marijuana: NoPersonal: Married to Debora, three children.

William J. McCarthy

Age: 64Address: 53 Central St.,West BoylstonParty affiliation: IndependentOccupation: Owner of Win-throp Studios, a portraitphotography studio, digitalfine art printmaking andart gallery, for 36 years.Education: B.S. in businessmarketing, University of Massachusetts atDartmouthPolitical experience: Has served 15 years ascommissioner of the West Boylston MunicipalLight plant; served as a member of the 1999Beaman Memorial Library Building Committeeand the Townwide Planning Committee; andwas chairman of the original Town Adminis-trator Screening Committee.Issues: Good paying jobs and business opportu-nities for Worcester County are my priorities.Artists, accountants, engineers, designers,manufacturers, etc., need affordable work andselling space. I would align the concept withthe entrepreneurs program at WPI and expandit to include the Worcester College Consortium.I would immediately open up the former Wor-cester Courthouse as the first low-cost startupspace.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: YesMedical use of marijuana: YesPersonal: Married to Anne DeSantis Handy.

Winthrop E. Handy

WORCESTER

WESTBOYLSTON


Question 1would prohibit any motor vehicle man-ufacturer, starting with model year 2015, from sell-ing or leasing, either directly or through a dealer, anew motor vehicle without allowing the owner tohave access to the same diagnostic and repair infor-mation made available to the manufacturer’s deal-

ers and in-state autho-rized repair facilities.

Supporters of the bal-lot question say it would make it more convenientand less expensive for car owners to get car repairsby ensuring that no one is forced to go to a dealer-ship for repairs unless they want to.

Proponents say automakers already make repairinformation and tools available for purchase byanyone as a result of a 2002 national agreement.

The Legislature struck a compromise on the mea-sure late in the last legislative session and bothsides pledged to urge voters to pass over the ques-tion as moot. The right to repair coalition has nowreneged and is urging voters to pass Question 1. Themove came after other groups withdrew supportbecause they believed the compromise didn’t go farenough to ensure consumers’ rights.

Availability of motor vehicle repair information

Q U E S T I O N 1

Question 2 would allow a physician licensed inMassachusetts to prescribe medication, at a termi-nally ill patient’s request, to end that patient’s life.To qualify, a patient would have to be an adultresident who (1) is medically determined to be men-tally capable of making and communicating healthcare decisions; (2) has been diagnosed by attending

and consulting physi-cians as having an incur-able, irreversible disease

that will, within reasonable medical judgment,cause death within six months; and (3) voluntarilyexpresses a wish to die and has made an informeddecision. The proposed law states that the patientwould ingest the medicine in order to cause death ina humane and dignified manner.

Supporters of the measure say it will allow men-tally competent adults with no chance to survivetheir illness to take life-ending medication pre-scribed by a physician.

Opponents say it restricts patients’ choices andcontrol by enabling suicide as a substitute for qual-ity health care. They say Question 2 is poorly writ-ten, confusing and lacks even the most basic safe-guards. Patients would not be required to see apsychiatrist before obtaining the lethal drug.

Prescribing medication to end life

Q U E S T I O N 2

Question 3 would eliminate state criminal andcivil penalties for the medical use of marijuana bypatients who have been diagnosed with a debilitat-ing medical condition. The patient would also haveto obtain a written certification, from a physicianwith whom the patient has a bona fide physician-

patient relationship, thatthe patient has a specificdebilitating medical con-

dition and would likely obtain a net benefit frommedical use of marijuana.

Supporters of the measure say it will ease thesuffering of thousands of people with debilitatingconditions. They also say provisions of the proposedlaw requiring strict regulation by the state Depart-ment of Public Health, written physician approval,a limited number of nonprofit treatment centers,and criminal penalties for fraud will help ensureonly appropriate medical use of marijuana.

Opponents of the ballot question say we all havecompassion for those in pain, but the proposed lawhas loopholes that would allow corruption andexploitation. If enacted, they say, this law wouldallow virtually anyone to grow pot in their back-yard.

Medical use of marijuana

Q U E S T I O N 3

WORCESTER — For the firsttime since 1993, the 15th Worces-ter District will welcome a newstate representative, and voterswill have a clean slate of candi-dates to choose from.

Democrat Mary Keefe, of 10Oxford St., is running againstRepublican Brian O’Malley, of181 Belmont St., in the newlyminted “minority majority”district. The winner will fill thevacancy left in January whenVincent A. Pedone steppeddown.

Ms. Keefe, whose political ex-perience was previously limitedto an unsuccessful run for CityCouncil a few years ago, pulledoff a bit of an upset in the Sep-tember primary when she hand-ily beat four other candidates,including City Councilor Kath-leen M. Toomey and SchoolCommittee member Dianna Bi-ancheria, to secure the Demo-cratic nomination. The primarywin was widely viewed as a shiftaway from the traditionalShrewsbury Street power baseof the 15th Worcester.

Ms. Keefe said she isn’t taking

anything for granted, however,and Mr. O’Malley said he thinkshis chances of victory wereactually bolstered by Ms.Keefe’s primary victory. He hasrepeatedly questioned her sup-port of a proposed bill thatwould raise state income tax onhigher-income earners.

“I do see that as a weakness onher part, that she’s so willing toembrace that,” Mr. O’Malleysaid. “It’s a mistake in this econ-omy.”

Ms. Keefe said she is stickingby her support for the taxincrease, saying it “asks morefrom those of us who havemore.” It could help fill gapsthat dwindling local aid has leftin recent years, she said. Butrather than focus on her sup-port of the tax, Ms. Keefe pointsto a host of other issues sheplans on tackling if elected. Forexample, she said she is partic-ularly interested in being partof the conversation about howthe downtown area continues tobe reshaped.

Mr. O’Malley has an interest-ing personal story that wouldcatch the eye of any Democraticpolitical strategist. He was laidoff from a good job; his family

was forced to live in a shelterand he even took to a tent in astate park for a while beforegetting back on his feet again.He has received some of theentitlements that manynational Republicans railagainst. But he said he sees hisstory as being about self-reliance and personal perseve-rance. He’s an appliance sales-man at Sears.

“I’m just a regular working-class guy,” Mr. O’Malley said. “Idon’t like the way the govern-ment is run, and it’s been run byDemocrats most of my life.”

Ms. Keefe embraces the pro-gressive label, and does not hidefrom positions that reflect herworld view. In fact, she said shethinks it’s part of her appeal.

Voters to choose first new rep. since 19931 5 T H W O R C E S T E R D I S T R I C T

By Steven H. Foskett Jr. TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER


Age: 48Address: 17 WarrenAve., LeicesterParty affiliation:RepublicanOccupation: Truckdriver, formerpolice officer Education: Quinsiga-mond CommunityCollege, Assumption College Political experience: NoneMilitary experience: Gulf War veteranIssues: Roll back sales and income taxincreases, which were promised to betemporary; increase local aid toimprove our schools and municipalservices; enable job creation by sup-porting small business; ensure veteransget real benefits instead of promises,which rarely come true. Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: NoMedical use of marijuana: NoPersonal: Four children; one grandchild

William G. LeBeau

IncumbentAge: 65Address: 41 CircuitAve. E., WorcesterParty affiliation:DemocratOccupation: Legisla-tor Education: B.A.,Worcester StateCollegePolitical experience: State representativesince 1987; chairman, House Commit-tee on Rules, member of WorcesterCity Democratic Committee and Ward 7Democratic CommitteeIssues: More public safety workers andteachers not only improve quality oflife, but it also expands the workforce;I’ve worked and voted to secure mil-lions for programs to aid the olderpopulation throughout my career.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: NoMedical use of marijuana: NoPersonal: Not married

John J. Binienda Sr.

Age: 48Address: 181 Bel-mont St., Worces-ter Party affiliation:RepublicanOccupation:Appliance sales-man at SearsEducation: B.S.,psychology, Worcester State Uni-versity, cum laudePolitical experience: Has never held publicoffice. Served as Gardner’s RepublicanCity Committee chairman.Issues: The commonwealth is constantlyin a fiscal crisis, raising fees and taxesthat will not allow small businesses togrow and create jobs, we need reformbefore revenue in state government.Most of the violence in the city is in theneighborhoods in or adjacent to the15th District. We need to work withofficials at every level of government tofund the understaffed Police Depart-ment so our streets can be safer. Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: NoMedical use of marijuana: NoPersonal: Married to Patricia; threechildren: Amanda, Brendon, Collin

Brian J. O’Malley

Age: 58Address: 10 OxfordSt., WorcesterParty affiliation:DemocratOccupation: Exec-utive director ofthe Pleasant StreetNeighborhoodNetwork CenterEducation: Marian High School; BFA,Massachusetts College of ArtPolitical experience: Founding member ofthe Worcester Democrats of Massachu-setts and Worcester Labor CoalitionIssues: Fighting to provide quality publicschools by making sure they get theattention and resources they need;working to ensure that quality healthcare is accessible and affordable to allour families and bolster coverage forseniors, the unemployed and those inneed; and working to preserve publicplaces. Ballot questions: Prescribing medication to end life: NoMedical use of marijuana: YesPersonal: Three adult children

Mary S. Keefe

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State Rep. John J. BiniendaSr., D-Worcester, the longest-serving member of the Worces-ter Statehouse delegation, isfacing a challenge from Repub-lican William LeBeau of Leic-ester, a political newcomer andformer Spencer police officer.

Mr. Binienda, 65, has repre-sented the 17th WorcesterHouse District since 1987 and ischairman of the House’s influ-ential Committee on Rules.

Mr. LeBeau, 48, a truckdriver, musician and militaryveteran, is making his first runfor public office.

The district includes Leices-ter and Ward 7 and Precincts 2,3 and 4 in Ward 8 in the south-ern and western sections ofWorcester.

A former middle and highschool teacher in the Leicesterpublic schools, Mr. Binienda isknown as a fiscally conserva-tive Democrat who is generally

opposed to tax increases,including on cigarettes and al-cohol.

Mr. Binienda is a longtimemember of the House’s Demo-cratic leadership, formerlyserving as chairman of the Leg-islature’s Revenue Committee.He is a graduate of WorcesterState College and has threeadult children.

Mr. LeBeau was a militarypolice officer in the U.S. ArmyReserve for eight years andserved in the Gulf War with the

344th MP Company. He was aSpencer police officer from 1988to 1997. After that, he was anAssumption College police offi-cer for five years.

He has four children and onegrandchild. He graduated fromthe U.S. Army Military PoliceSchool and the WorcesterReserve Police Academy.

Mr. LeBeau has campaignedon traditional Republicanthemes such as lower taxes andopposition to benefits for illegalimmigrants, and shrinking thesize of government. He has alsopainted himself as a blue-collarworking man, in contrast to theincumbent, who he says is partof an entrenched Democraticleadership structure on BeaconHill.

Mr. Binienda touts his advo-cacy for the district, includingon behalf of improvements toWorcester Regional Airport,more state funding for localschools, and funding for ser-vices for senior citizens. He is asupporter of casino gambling.

Binienda challenged by newcomer LeBeau1 7 T H W O R C E S T E R D I S T R I C T

By Shaun SutnerTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER

LEICESTER


Age: 48Address: 19 Oak-mont St., Webster Party affiliation:DemocratOccupation: Owner ofa Webster-basedemploymentagencyEducation: Mon-tachusett Regional Vocational Tech-nical High School, attended NorthShore Community CollegePolitical experience: Member of the Web-ster Board of Selectmen for two-and-a-half years, including serving as chair-man; member of the Zoning Board ofAppeals for two years. Issues: Job creation and economicdevelopment; safe and sufficient fund-ing levels for our emergency services;advocating for senior citizens and thosewith developmental disabilities so theyreceive services so they can livedignified and comfortable lives.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: YesMedical use of marijuana: YesPersonal: Married

Donald D. Bourque

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Candidates for state represen-tative in the 18th Worcester Dis-trict say they’re committed toimproving the local job sceneand helping towns reap morelocal aid. And each says he’smore in touch with district resi-dents than his opponent.

Incumbent Ryan C. Fattman,28, R-Sutton, points to his bipar-tisan work in his first legisla-tive term: adding a budgetamendment that returned$369,000 in local aid to the dis-trict, bringing a GOP jobs fair tothe district and promoting ajobs package with employer taxcredits. He also worked on thebipartisan reform bill to curbabuse of electronic benefitcards.

Donald D. Bourque, 48, a Web-ster Democrat who serves on theBoard of Selectmen and owns astaffing business, says Mr. Fatt-man isn’t doing enough to beresponsive to residents. He’dlike to establish an economic de-

velopment board to coordinatelocal, state and federal initia-tives to help businesses moveinto the district.

The district faces another bigchallenge in its new configura-tion. Starting with the upcom-ing legislative session, the 18thWorcester District includes Sut-ton, Oxford (Precincts 1 and 4),

Douglas and Webster. Previ-ously it included Bellingham,Blackstone, Millville, Sutton(Precincts 1 and 2) and Uxbridge(Precincts 1, 2 and 4).

Mr. Bourque said being acces-sible and accountable to resi-dents is crucial. He said the dis-trict hasn’t been adequately rep-resented on Beacon Hill sinceredistricting was announcedmore than a year ago.

As part of his commitment toaccessibility, Mr. Bourque saidhe would include his cellphonenumber on his business card, ifelected.

Mr. Fattman said he hasknocked on every door in Web-ster, met with residents district-wide and worked with localleaders in the district’s newtowns to address their concerns.

As a full-time legislator, Mr.Fattman said he plans to contin-ue his 100 percent voting recordand work with both parties toget the economy moving againand reform government spend-ing.

Candidates vow to work for jobs, local aid1 8 T H W O R C E S T E R D I S T R I C T

By Susan SpencerTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

SUTTON

DOUGLAS

OXFORD

WEBSTER


Voters going to the polls Nov.6 will be asked to decide be-tween two types of experiencein selecting the next NorthernWorcester Register of Deeds.

Democrat Kathleen ReynoldsDaigneault has been Register ofDeeds in the Fitchburg officefor six years and also has 20years as an attorney. Her oppo-nent, unenrolled candidatePatricia Buckley Malcolmson,has been a title examiner for 28years.

Both are Leominster resi-dents who support the idea ofputting all deed records at theRegistry dating back to the1800s online and accessible tothe public by computer.

The Northern Worcester Dis-trict Registry of Deeds servesFitchburg, Leominster, Ash-burnham, Lunenburg andWestminster.

Since her 2006 election, Mrs.Daigneault, 49, has focused oneducating the public and mak-

ing the registry more acces-sible. She has also worked withresidents who have had mort-gage difficulties due to thebanking crisis that hit not longafter she took office. She is thefirst woman and first attorneyto hold the office.

Among her initiatives sincewinning election in 2004 havebeen connecting the office withprobate records, expanding theelectronic access to deeds andother documents the office alsohas paper copies of. She saidshe has also managed to keepthe office open and operating indowntown Fitchburg whiledealing with $200,000 in budgetcuts to the office over severalyears.

Mrs. Malcolmson, 50, said shewould be able to help peoplewith a variety of deed issuesbecause of her many years ofexperience using the registry’sdocuments. She said she wouldbe available full time in theoffice. Along with her work astitle examiner, she works parttime as a bank secrecy assist-

ant at North Middlesex SavingsBank keeping an eye on ac-counts to ensure they are notused to launder money or asfronts for illegal activity. Alsoshe works part time eveningsas an accountant for her fam-ily’s business, Buckley’s Reli-gious Gifts.

If elected, she said she wouldleave the title examiner andbank jobs. She said the job withthe family business is done inthe evening and would notinterfere with her work at theRegistry of Deeds.

If re-elected, Mrs. Daigneaultwould continue what she hasbeen doing the past six years,but also consider new initia-tives, including opening a satel-lite office in Leominster.

Mrs. Malcolmson said shewould push for more unifor-mity between registries aroundthe state, which operate on avariety of computer programsand other systems.

Experienced hopefuls tout access to records R E G I S T E R O F D E E D S

By George BarnesTELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

IncumbentAge: 28Address: 206 Bur-bank Road, Sutton Party affiliation:RepublicanOccupation: Legisla-torEducation: Bache-lor’s degree,political science, Suffolk University;Rappaport public policy fellow, HarvardKennedy School of Government; at-tended master of public policy programat Tufts University Political experience: One term as staterepresentative; member of Board ofSelectmen for five years; chairman,Sutton Housing Partnership Committee,one yearIssues: Working across party lines toimprove the Massachusetts economyand foster job creation; improving localservices by prioritizing the state’s localaid funding.Ballot questions:Prescribing medication to end life: NoMedical use of marijuana: NoPersonal: Engaged

Ryan C. Fattman

Age: 50Address: 53 BrownAve., LeominsterParty affiliation:UnenrolledOccupation: Realestate title exam-iner for 28 years,part-time BSAassistant at localbank and Buckley’s Religious GiftStore.Education: Stonehill College, B.A. insociology/criminal justicePolitical experience: Has never held publicoffice. Issues: The Registry holds importanthistorical records of all real estatetransactions. It is imperative that alldocuments, especially the very oldones, are scanned so there is a high-quality image for viewing and haveuser-friendly access. The register mustbe a person with knowledge of the realestate laws and Registry standards andpractices. Personal: Married to Ralph Malcolmson;three daughters: Molli, Emily and Julia

Patricia Buckley Malcolmson

IncumbentAge: 49Address: 107 High-land Ave., Leomin-sterParty affiliation:DemocratOccupation: Attorney,20 yearsEducation: Provi-dence College, bachelor of arts; NewEngland School of Law, Juris Doctor;National Labor Relations Board trainedmediatorPolitical experience: Register of Deeds forthe Worcester Northern DistrictIssues: As Register of Deeds, my toppriority has been to provide the utmostservice to the public also continuedmodernization. I believe service to thecommunity is the highest form ofcitizenship. Professionalism and ahigh-quality-run office are my commit-ment. All records are available freeonline at fitchburgdeeds.com.Personal: Married to Christopher Daig-neault; four children, Nina, 24, Chris-topher, 23, Andrew, 21, and Rocco, 17.

Kathleen Reynolds Daigneault

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