Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

All about Eastie.

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The State Rep seat in East Boston is really heating up and we might all be in for a suprise come election day. I had a chance to sit down with Gloribell Mota for coffee the other day and was pretty blown away. I saw her through my window talking to one of my neighbors so when she got to my house I had some coffee waiting and invited her in. she is extremely personable, energetic, charismatic and really understands Eastie and has some good ideas on how to move us forward. I’m not a policy wonk but can pick a winner when I see one. She made me feel like she knew exactly what I was going through and my wife thought she was extremely compassionate and understanding. I want to be clear: I have a Basile sign in my window on Bremen street and i like the kid. I respect his family and his work but i haven’t seen someone with a grip on the issues that isn’t some 24 year old policy wonk with a rich mommy and daddy from Oregon who moved here for college and decided to stay. She going to go places and I look forward to helping her in the future. Also, to Jeff and Mary: be careful, you never know what someone will do when they get in that PRIVATE booth. 

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  1. And I don’t make that much.

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    She’s a true progressive — currently organizing director for Felix Arroyo, formerly of United for a Fair Economy and the Mary Ellen McCormack Task Force — with a great respect for people and a devotion to public service.

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    She’s as deserving of our support as any candidate I’ve met in recent times.

    • At least I don’t think so.

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      But checks go to:

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      Committee to Elect Gloribell Mota
      PO Box 347
      East Boston, MA 02128

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      Just in case you’re itching to give…!

        • I was wondering about that.

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          To answer your questions as best as I can (which is not very helpfully):

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          I don’t think DiMasi has set an election date yet.

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          And I’m not sure who else has declared. The rumor is that the mayor + Trav + Petrucelli have a favored son whom they’re going to be backing, and that a DINO who raised money for Kerry Healey is also going to throw his hat into the ring, but I’ll be honest and admit I can’t remember the names of those guys. So we shall see…

  3. i just met ms. gloribell mota the other night at a fundraiser and fell in love with her. she is fabulously qualified for the position and carries herself with compassion and empathy and honesty. the citizens of eastie would be foolish not to support and elect gloribell. she is the idealistic candidate in every way imaginable!

    • I see you all saw what i saw in the first two minutes. This kid has the issues in her hand and is extremely warm and caring. She seems like a fun person who is also reponsible and trustworthy. Good mix.

      • This woman cam to my house last Sunday and I felt bad because it was so humid. She listened to everything I had to say and didn’t mind my ma coming into the conversation (my ma is a republican who switched to unenrolled to support Carlo). She had some great ideas but we mostly talked about education and our kids who attended the O’Donnell but in different grades. I see what she does with her kid and would trust her to represent me and my daughter under the golden dome. 

  4. I know Gloribell, as a friend, as a neighbor, and as a candidate. On all counts she is someone that I am proud to associate with. I think that her campaign will breathe some new life into the political mix of East Boston, which is a very good thing.

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    Jeff Drago is considered the “establishment” guy, as a member of the Menino administration, just like our current City Councilor and Senator were prior to election. That said, he is also a pretty good guy and someone I would be okay with working with as a state rep.

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    Mr. Basile is a DINO of the HIGHEST order. Just check out his campaign contribution history on http://www.mass.gov/ocpf. If he were elected it would be something of a step back, in terms of the more liberal recent bent of our local elected officials.

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    I once heard a local political operative state that Ward One (East Boston) is the “most politically organized and disciplined neighborhood in the city,” and he was someone who had never lived here. The forces that have provided it with this type of reputation exist and are very active on multiple fronts in this race. Because of this, this seems to be a classic race and one that will have a deep impact on the political character and power dynamics of the neighborhood.

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    Basile = Conservative = Donato-style Dem
    Drago = Moderate = Menino/DiMasi-style Dem
    Mota = Progressive = Patrick/Barrios-style Dem

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    You pretty much have your pick with this one, which is increasingly rare in local races. If you are looking to get some good experience on a campaign, especially a more grassroots, Patrick-style one, you should come down the highway or across the harbor.

  5. I believe the election Date has not been set yet. 

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    Carlo Basile is a good guy.  He’s a dem so I can’t vote for him as a registered Republican, but I’ve met him a few times and like him.

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    No I’m not running, and I’m not EasBosMan as well as EaBo clipper.

  6. Should be Sept 11 from what I understand. If it isn’t official yet, it all but is.

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    I’ve known Gloribell for a few years now. Great person, great activist, great leader.

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    If you’re thinking about helping one of the candidates running for the Barrios seat on Sept 11, consider that all the candidates running are progressives who range from very good to mediocre, but will all be good on the issues. But in the Rep Race for Petrocelli’s seat, Gloribell stands miles above the rest, and I’d urge you to help her out, not only with your funds, but with your time. She needs your help.

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    I am not employed by her, and don’t live in the district, but intend to begin volunteering to help her out, because she’s that good. I hope you’ll join me.

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    Hopefully her website will be up soon. In the meantime, maybe a staffer can post the best ways to help.

  7. Sorry, may be an ignorant question, but what do you mean by you have a “Basile” sign in your window?  Is it a current rep, couldn’t find anything on it.  Thanks.

  8. This race could actually be winnable for the progressive candidate assuming the vote ould be split between the establishment Democrat backed by the Menino machine and the socially conservative Democrat since they would be dividing the same constituency. Were the progressive to solidify her base and also attract some other support she could really run away with this.

    • Carlo helped my family when he worked at the Registry a while back. I am NOT a republican. I have been a Democrat all my life. I am not going to vote for him and am seriously considering Gloribell. I don’t own the home and willng not fight my family over a sign. Who I vote for is my own decision and I have been doing this for a long time. She looks good. Godd kid with a good head on her shoulders. I don’t committ to anyone until I see who draws papers. She impressed me though. I’m going to give her 100 bucks if she gets on the ballot. 

      • I am supporting Gloribell because not only is she a good friend but she is someone who listens to other arguements and works hard but she is an engaged and supportive mom. She is VERY involved in her sons education and it shows in him. She is on the school parent council, school site council, she volunteers her time for school events, she has personal relationships with the teachers and principals, she has him enrolled in the Steppingstone Academy (competitve program that prepeare urban students for college) and she brought little Eddie (and dragged me) to several meeting regarding the choosing of Boston’s next superintendent (she was a part of the group working to get parent involved in the selection proccess). She is a mom I look up to although i am older (not by much) than she is and she has helped me get more involved in my son’s school. I turst her and am extremely proud to call her a friend.

        • Gloribell will be a tremendous representative for all of Eastie. Whether new to the neighborhood or a 30-year resident, a Latino or Italian-American, progressive or moderate, she will listen to and rep everyone. I’ve known her for a few years and she is a wonderful mom, supportive daughter, great friend, intelligent, and an incredibly strong woman. She is solid on the policy issues and also willing and capable to deliver neighborhood services. She presents a great opportunity for Eastie residents and all of Boston.

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          Although I also don’t live in the district, I plan to help elect her. And I encourage folks who want a progressive, independent leader in the State House to join me and other in supporting Gloribell.

  9. My wife and I have known Gloribell for several years and we strongly feel she is the best candidate in this race.  My wife was an intern at United For a Fair Economy where Gloribell used to work towards real tax reform that would help make corporations pay their fair share of taxes and reduce the tax burden on individuals and local businesses.  As a small business owner, I know all too well about the increasing tax burden we face, so it was important to me that Gloribell support small businesses in this manner.

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    Although I like Jeff Drago as a person, I don’t feel that he would really be “independent” and able to promote the best interests of East Boston residents because he is beholden to the Menino machine and would have to obey their wishes.  I also don’t really see why the Menino machine should have a say in state-level politics when he is a city politician.

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    And Basile is just a Republican running as a Dem and as the leader of the Healy East Boston campaign he was the architect of the not so subtle racially-motivated opposition to Deval in this neighborhood. 

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    Gloribell is a true progressive and from talking with her I know she is committed to representing ALL the residents of Easite.  We will definitely be donating to her campaign and helping out as much as we can.

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    Her new campaign office is at 20 Meridian St. on the 4th floor and I am sure they would love to have new volunteers.  They also have a bunch of bumper stickers and house signs available there when I dropped by the other day.

  10. Jeff Drago is the clear frontrunner in this race.  He has been involved in local Eastie politics for years serving on many boards as well as being an active member of the East Boston Democratic Ward Committee.  Forget the fact that he is being supported by Mennino, Petruccelli, Travaglini and LaMattina.  He is a great candidate in his own right.  Being an East Boston resident I took the time to sit down with him over a cup of coffee and found that he is very good on our progressive issues, he is for Gay Marriage, for Immigrant Tuition, for a womans right to choose etc….

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    Lets not rule this guy out. 
    Check out his web site at http://www.jeffdrago.com

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    Gloribell is a wonderful young woman but has not been involved in Eastie politics very long.  I just don’t see this as the right time for her to run.  Perhaps in a few years the political winds might be right for her but not now.

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    Baisle although trying to pass himself off as a Democrat has worked diligently for Kerry Healy, Romney, Weld, Cellucci, Jenkin and Bush Cheney just to name a few of the Republican reaces he has been deeply involved in.  Sorry but I don’t think Eastie will vote for a Republicrat no matter how charming he is.

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    As for Berringer I believe she is stil in the race.  Her claim to fame is her opposition to the Airport.  Not sure a one issue person with no real organization can go far in this race.

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    These are just my thoughts and observations as a lifelong resident and activist.

    • i must tell you I haven’t heard anything from Jeff Drgao other than I’m the Mayor’s guy and I got my Law degree on your tax dollars. Vote for me. I don’t think that makes you a frunt runner and i honestly feel like the machine is in place and just needs to be filled with a candidate who will do what Menino says. I was raised here and have never seen Jeff Drago in any meetings in my neighborhood. What work has he done? I’d love to work for the mayor and go to school at night instead of some boring meeting with a bunch of people who regardless of how many luxory condos get built, families get priced out, land gets taken by massport, rich people pay the same yaxes as middle class working families, corporations get sweet tax deal through loopholes or how much trash is on the street, they are going to be upset but at the end of the day……Vote for who the Mayor says to vote for or republican calls himself a democrat and an “independant”. I’m a young professional trying to stay here and i have NO alligance to the establishment that has left my family in the same place as when i was a kid but tells them they love them. 

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