I didn’t see anything posted about last Tuesday night’s candidate forum in Arlington for the 4th Middlesex Senate Race. A few impressions here:
Patrick Natale took a number of shots at the other candidates, particularly at Charley Murphy, at one point earning pleas from an audience questioner not to “run a Howie Carr campaign.” Natale attacked Murphy for poor attendance and missing votes at the State House and for a particular vote against local aid. At several points, there were testy exchanges between the two candidates.
Another audience question addressed paid police details. Marzilli took the politically courageous position and opposed continuing the paid details – acknowledging as he did so that he was venturing onto political thin ice. Murphy supported continuing paid details. Natale waffled a bit and suggested a hybrid – eliminating them in some cases, but continuing to use them in others. Donnelly supported keeping them. I don’t remember the Republican candidate’s position.
There was general agreement on drug testing for public safety officers, as long as it was administered fairly.
There was also discussion of provisions of the Municipal Partnership Act, but I’m not sure I got the nuances of the candidates’ positions, so I won’t try to reproduce them here.
there’s a Republican candidate?
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Who do they think they are?? đŸ˜‰
I was there, and he [Brion Cangiamilla] presented quite well – I would say that Cangiamilla, Donnelly, and Marzilli did the best in terms of clear positions. I did take notes, but did not post them as they [notes] got rather long.
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There were a “sea” of Donnelly signs out in front of town hall.
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It is correct that Natale was mostly negative and defensive sounding. He did not present well at all – very petulant at times.
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Marzilli focused on his work for upgrading the minimum wage, and on the environment.
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Murphy touted himself as providing excellent constituent services, but I generally had trouble following what he was saying in terms of positions; he does not seem to think quickly on his feet.
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Donnelly reminded us all that he serves on the commission which oversees state pensions, and has very significant experience in governance.
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Cangiamilla reminded everyone he HAD been a state rep, and that without 5 senators to demand a roll call, that the opposition party would not get roll call votes in the State Senate. He also expounded on his experience in town governance. Cangiamilla is a candidate of substance. His Republican primary opponent dropped out in his favor, to focus on one candidate for Republicans.
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This is being a VERY hard fought primary, and the election will also be hard fought. I anticipate that mounting this campaign will cost about $100,000 each, in all likelihood. l
Billerica is in the district, and it went to Ono in the House race.
I assume from the report that Tom Fallon from Burlington did not show up. I seem to remember that he was in the audience at the Lexington forum and Charley Murphy recognized him in his opening remarks.
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I agree with AmberPaw that Cangiamilla is a candidate to be taken seriously and the general election will be no chip shot, no matter who the Democratic nominee is.
As shocking as this may sound Bean in the Burbs continues her less than objective “analysis” of this race.
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Pat Natale did indeed go negative at the forum, however, it is important to note that, despite BITB’s best efforts to report, he went after my voting record and Marzilli’s as well. As BITB will recall Jim and I both took an opportunity to share with the audience an explanation of our own voting records (my average voting record per session over the past 11 years is 95%) and I pointed out that clearly Natale has nothing postive to say about himself and why he should be a senator.
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Also, there was no “testy” moment between Natale and myself despite BITB’s suggestion to the contrary. I have stated from the start of this campaign that I am asking voters to vote for me on election day rather than not voting for one of my opponents.
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With regard to Deb’s observation on my ability to think on my feet, (I, I……ahhh, umm, I don’t…umm, agree with……her) I respectfully suggest her objecttivity is extremely questionable at this point of the campaign. Most people following this race on BMG know she is an ardent JM supporter.
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I do agree with Deb that this race has been hard fought and has focused on the issues (for the most part). I look forward to the final week of the primary campaign.
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Best regards
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Charley Murphy
State Representative
21st Middlesex District
State Senate Candidate
4th Middlesex District
As Charlie stated, and as I have said on this forum a number of times, yes, I am supporting James Marzilli in this senate race. No secret that – Charlie is quite correct. After Jim Marzilli’s 17 years of exemplary & effective service to Arlington, I feel that Jim deservers and has earned my support.
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I loved Charlie’s sense of humor in his post and certainly there is a great deal more to public service than a fast and flip response. Charlie has a fine record of public service as well, but Jim Marzilli’s hard work on the minimum wage, and the environment [and so much more] has earned my support.
YourArlington.com
has an extensive description of the LWV forum. It includes this text:
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Mr. Daly is a Murphy supporter, and is known for his sometimes inflammatory remarks on the floor of Arlington Town Meeting.
I never comment on here preferring to read the interesting posts and comments. That said, I felt it necessary to correct an error that Republican candidates for Senate frequently state. The Senate does not require 5 Republican Senators in order to get a roll call. Senate Rule 56 states the following: “The sense of the Senate shall be taken by yeas and nays whenever required by one-fifth of the members present, or by a number of members equal to the total number of members of the minority party.” If there are 5 Republicans, 5 Senators have to stand to be counted. If there are 4 Republicans only 4 Senators must stand to be counted and so forth.