Arlington newspaper endorses Republican rep candidate

that the arlington advocate would endorse any candidate that is too chicken to state their stances on civil rights issues like marriage and choice.  it is highly likely that someone in that seat will need to vote on those or related issues in the next 2 years.  for example, repeal of the 1913 laws is on the slate.  and just next week is a hearing on adding trans and bisexual people to the hate crimes and non-discrimination laws.  the people of the 23rd deserve to know where a potential rep stands on such basic issues as employment non-discrimination and the freedom to marry.  i guess the arl advocate doesn’t care, as long as the next person in the seat passes their age litmus test.

Mind you, “Bam Bam” does not want to give an honest report.  He just wants to continue his habit of slamming and belittling.  Could he be jealous?  It sure sounds like he is to me.  Otherwise, why be so snarky and deliberately mislead this community as to the Advocate’s coverage?

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p>Here is the link to the coverage on the front page about Sean Garballey on the same page, same day as the Worden coverage [note:  Don’t take Bam Bam’s word for anything.  He cheats]

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p>http://www.wickedlocal.com/med…

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p>Text:

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At 23, Sean Garballey would be a bit younger than most state representatives that have held a seat in the 23rd Middlesex District. Yet, the Arlington resident’s passion for the political process seems to run deeper than many old-time politicians.
Involved in politics since before he was of age to vote, Garballey got his first taste of state government at the ripe age of 16.
“My interest in politics started in high school when I was a tour guide at the State House,” said Garballey.
He said he was interested in history and government at an early age and was thrilled to see it in action. Before long, Garballey started attending town meetings, though he was not yet old enough to participate directly.
As soon as he turned 18, Garballey became a Town Meeting member and has been for five years.
He earned a political science degree from the University of Massachusetts and now is continuing his education in a Masters in Public Administration program at Suffolk University. In 2005, he was elected to the Arlington School Committee, where he presently serves as vice chairman.
“At the time, we were getting a new superintendent, assistant superintendent and a new special education director,” Garballey said. “One of my concerns was trying to improve special education and English language learner classes.”
Having once been a student of special education for a few minor learning disabilities, Garballey said he learned first hand the importance of such programs for young kids.
“This allowed me to realize how important those services are,” he said. “If some young person has a learning disability, it doesn’t make them any less valuable to the public school system. Many special education students grow up and go on to do great things.”
Garballey said his election to the School Committee was a chance to make a difference. Shortly thereafter he worked with the new superintendent, Nate Levenson, to identify special education as one of the five major goals for improvement.
Last year after Arlington’s social studies chair was cut, Garballey used his position as chairman of the budget subcommittee to find the resources to reinstate the position. He has also fought to get back reading specialists that were cut before his election.
“The committee before me voted, because of the budget, to get them out,” said Garballey. “One of the priorities we realized was to provide early reading support.”
Garballey said teaching kids to read effectively at a young age helps prevent a host of education issues later on.
Democratic run
Recently, the ambitious, young pol ran a successful campaign for the Democratic nomination for the House in the 23rd Middlesex District (Arlington and West Medford). It was a campaign marked with civility as he and fellow Democratic opponent, Jeff Thielman, got through it without a fistful of mud slung.
“We stayed on the issues and I thank him for doing that,” said Garballey.
Surprisingly enough, Garballey said his age has not really been a problem so far during the special election to fill Jim Marzilli’s vacant seat.
“I would get similar comments everywhere: ‘Oh, you’re young,'” said Garballey. “But I worked hard. We had mailings, I did coffees, I went door to door. I think some people may be a little nervous about my age, but when they sense my commitment to public service and my experience over the last five years, they see someone they believe they can vote for.”
If elected, Garballey wants to work on getting back continually slashed local aid and look into ways to increase town and city revenues in his district.
“Medford has lost over $30 million in local aid since 2002,” said Garballey.
He has already spoken to Mayor Michael J. McGlynn, who has pledged his support, and wants to work with local officials to find a solution.
At the same time, Garballey said looking inward for local sources of municipal revenue is a must.
“Obviously, we’re not bringing in the revenue like we used to,” said Garballey.
Medford has struggled with keeping revenues up. Consistent commercial growth has, however, kept the city’s tax base stronger than many other communities in the commonwealth. Officials in Arlington have had to tighten their belts considerably in recent years. In 2005 the town passed a fiscal stability plan that capped off municipal costs at a 4 percent yearly increase until 2010.
Garballey said what is needed now is more collaboration between towns, cities and the state.
“I fully support the municipal partnership proposed by Gov. Patrick,” he said. “We need more collaboration between the state and local levels.”
The Municipal Partnership Act would allow local governments an increased ability to taxes to help stimulate city and town growth. By the same token, it would remove the practice of home rule petitions, which are often used to keep residential taxes low even in tough fiscal times.
Garballey said he also wants to look into closing corporate tax loopholes that rob local municipalities of revenue.
“The telephone companies own the telephone poles,” Garballey said. “They should be paying taxes on them.”
On the Green Line’s extension through Medford, he said he would fight for complete transparency in the process.
“I love the idea of increasing public transportation, if it can be done properly,” said Garballey. “There hasn’t been a comprehensive plan put forward yet as to what the truth of it all is.”
On March 4 the 23rd Middlesex District will decide who will fill Marzilli’s seat in the House. Garballey said he is campaigning as hard as ever.
“People want someone who will go door to door, pick up the phone and call them directly and talk about the issues that they care about,” said Garballey. “I feel that if we do it right and work hard, we will retain the confidence of the voters.”

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…unlike Bam Bam, they are not jealous.  They each know who they are, and what they are not.

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p>At the age of 23, Sean is remarkably mature, and interested in things – and willing to take lumps from jealous snark lobbers and my offspring are not.  Love to meet you Bam Bam and introduce you.  I did not “Dis” my kids at all – nor was anything said behind their backs.

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p>Different people not only mature at different rates, but have different interests.  Sean is interested in governance.  My son is interested in playing Warhammer 40k – each to their own.

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p>Mind you, it seems to take someone jealous and unsatisfied with their own life to have nothing better to do than to try to tear down someone exceptional!

My young adult, college student kids support Sean because they know him, like him and value who and what he is – rather than being jealous because his interests differ from theirs, and his achievements are so unusual for anyone, regardless of age.

AmberPaw, I think it is great for you to point out slights of hand when you see them.  However, I see no reason for you to keep personally attacking BM.  I think you’re going too far and undermining the value of your own otherwise on-target and on-message contributions.