Framingham Democratic Town Committee
Minutes of January 22, 2006
Held at Framingham Green from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
Attendance
Members: Bob Berman, Randy Black, Debby Blumer, Nancy Coville Wallace, Carlos Cunningham, Jerry Desilets, Linda Fields, Esther Hopkins, Donna Howard, Chris Lorant, Waldo Lyon, Dave Magnani, Stephanie Mercandetti, Terene Micciche, Cesar Monzon, Joan Rastani, Chris Ross, Norma Shulman, Alan Silver, Rochelle Sivan, John Stefanini, Parwez Wahid
Associate Members: Pam Roberts, Steve Robinson, Shelley Strowman
Guest speakers: Mayor Tim Murray, John Bonifaz, AG Tom Reilly, Secretary Bill Galvin, Rep. Mike Festa
Elected Officials: Senator Karen Spilka, State Rep. Tom Sannicandro
Guests: Cecile Robinson, Fred Wallace, Marvin Siflinger, Laura Medrano, Stan Berman, Phil Jack, Steve Joyce, Stas Gayshan, Lloyd Kaye
Treasurer’s report
| Previous Balance |
$1588.98 |
| Dues received |
$270.00 |
| Dividends |
3.14 |
| Other Income |
0 |
| Net Income |
$273.14 |
| Itemized Expenses | |
| Postage, P.Wahid |
9.80 |
| Postage, D.Howland |
4.44 |
| Net Expenses |
14.24 |
| Balance as of 10/16/05 |
$1847.88 |
There is 1 member owing dues for 2003-04, Rev. Faith Tolson.
Members owing dues for 2004-05: R. Berman, C. Cunningham, L. Fields, E. Hopkins, C. Monzon, F. Tolson
There are 5 paid associate members.
Minutes for the November meeting were accepted.
PROGRAM:
Tim Murray, candidate for Lt. Governor.
Mayor Murray recalled his entry into the political system back in 1996 when he was involved in the campaign to elect Congressman McGovern. Here he learned how to work with other Democrats. This experience led him to seek and win the office of Mayor of Worcester; Murray is now entering his 3rd term as Mayor.
Tim Murray is the oldest of five. His father was a teacher and his mother a nurse. He recalls how his parents had concerns on family finances. He sees that more and more families are feeling the burden to make ends meet. Today he sees that cities and towns across the state are having difficulties in making their budgets. Murray stated that Massachusetts is falling behind the rest of the country. It is losing people and jobs. He wants to turn this around. As Mayor of Worcester he played a significant role in the city’s revival. He successfully expanded commuter rail service from Boston to Worcester, an act that helped in his city’s revival. He believes he can carry this experience forward as Lt. Governor.
Murray states that his candidacy offers strategic value to the Democratic ticket. He believes that he has the ability to reach voters along the Rt. 495 belt and further west.
The Democratic Party did not fare well in this region of the state during the 2002 elections. Tim Murray believes he can deliver votes in this region.
John Bonifaz, candidate for Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Mr. Bonifaz is a resident of Jamaica Plain. He became involved in politics as the young age of 18 when he was the Scheduler for Ted Kennedy. He founded the National Voting Rights Institute in 1994. He points out that the Secretary of the Commonwealth is the Chief Elections Officer of the state and if elected he hopes to create a model of fair voting rights. He would seek to advance a Voters Bill of Rights on three issues:
(1) Count every vote
(2) Make voting easier with reforms such as Same Day Registration
(3) End big money dominance
On item 3, he feels it is important that candidates speak to voters’ concerns rather than solely seeking fund raising.
Mr. Bonifaz believes that there have been voting violations in Boston under the watch of the current Secretary. He wants to correct any such occurrences.
In commenting on the 2004 elections he referred to a study that was conducted to observe the vote process. Thousands did not get to vote and were left with uncertainty as to whether their provisional ballot was correctly counted. He would like to add an amendment to the US Constitution that would guarantee all citizens the right to vote. (Currently the Constitution has no such direct language, although the Constitution does prohibit denying a person from voting based on race or gender. This was part of the Supreme Court ruling in the 2000 elections controversy.)
Tom Reilly, candidate for Governor.
Mr. Reilly recalled his previous campaigns for District Attorney and Attorney General and he appreciated the support he received each time from the Metrowest region. He stressed the need to focus on winning in November. Tom Reilly was born in Springfield and today lives in Watertown with his wife and their three children. He is the son of Irish immigrants.
Reilly told of his youth when he lost his father while he was at age 16. Also he lost his brother in a tragic accident. He found himself in difficult times with an uncertain future, but with guidance from a friend’s father he ultimately gained admission to American International College. He had actually been recommended to trade school. He was insistent to attend college and was initially admitted to night school. With good grades he was able to get admitted to day school.
Reilly went on to BC Law School then started a law firm in Boston. He went on to serve as District Attorney for two terms. While serving as DA, Reilly would visit high schools to keep them safe and to identify students who were considered at risk.
Under his watch as AG he put Harvard Pilgrim into receivership and still maintained its services and payments to doctors. He took on the clergy during the sex abuse scandals and was able to gain an 8.7% reduction in auto insurance.
Tom Reilly offers that he knows the state of Massachusetts and every sector of its economy; he knows the people of the state. He understands the people do not expect miracles – they expect the truth.
Reilly feels the 2006 elections are important for our children and grandchildren. He stresses that Democrats must reach out to independent voters and stay together to win in November. The party must stay united through the primaries and general elections.
On a question regarding health care, Reilly stated that rising health costs can be addressed by identifying appropriate care early on.
Bill Galvin, incumbent candidate for Secretary of State.
Mr. Galvin described his accomplishments as Secretary of the Commonwealth in addressing voter concerns. He recalls how back in 2000 he was contacted by the Gore Campaign during the Florida re-count. (Galvin stated that he had advised the Gore Campaign to ask for re-counts state-wide rather than in just selected counties of Florida.) He described how the punch-card ballots that were at the core of the 2000 election controversy had been outlawed by his initiative back in 1997. As Secretary he has introduced election equipment that helps disabled persons to vote.
Galvin commented on the state of Massachusetts, where jobs are being lost due to the high cost of living. He feels the state has not had a viable economic plan for nearly 20 years. Health care reform is needed as today health costs are higher and benefits are fewer.
He stated that while the Governor claims to have held the line on “no new taxes”, communities have had battles on Proposition 2-1/2 overrides. Mr. Galvin also added that he was designated to be liaison for the census in 2000.
Mike Festa, candidate for District Attorney.
This was Mike Festa’s second visit to the Framingham DTC (he appeared in April 2005). Mike spoke only briefly to talk about his race. He contrasted his own background against those of the two opponents he is facing in the race. One of the opponents is a reputable prosecutor but has no experience in legislation or policy making. The other opponent is respected for his abilities as a policy maker and legislator but has no experience in prosecution. Mike stated that his own background offers experience as both a prosecutor and a legislator. He feels this unique combination of skills put him ahead of his opponents in the race.
BUSINESS:
The Framingham Caucus will be on Sunday February 5th. Registration at 12noon, caucus starts at 1pm. Registration closes at 1:15pm. Volunteers are needed for setup and various tasks such as registration, handing out and collecting ballots, counting ballots.
The Nominating Committee was formed to identify candidates for the DTC Officers Election that will take place in April. Any current officer not seeking election will be on the nominating committee. (If any current officer chooses to run for election, he/she must be recused from the Nominating Committee.) Archie Lyon, who had expressed interest in helping to find a candidate for the Affirmative Action officer, will also serve on the Nominating Committee.
Reports From The Hill, given by Debby Blumer:
The House is taking up the question on the required financial reporting of religious institutions.
Governor’s budget proposal is going out during the week.
The mandatory seat-belt law was passed in the House and has now been moved to the Senate.