On this page you'll find the answers provided by candidates in the 2004 local state representative election to the questions posed by readers of Saugus.net. Remember that candidates are not required to participate at all or answer any particular questions. Remember also that these answers are directly provided by the candidates themselves do not reflect Saugus.net's official standing in any matter. If you are a candidate yourself and would like to participate, be sure to see the candidates' information page.
The questions themselves were:
and a freebee question:
Political Web Page: http://www.markfalzone.org/
E-mail Address:
Town: Saugus Precinct: Seven
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
- State representative, 2001 to present
- Town meeting member from precinct nine, 1993 to 2000
- Chairman, Saugus Democratic Town Committee, 1996 to 2004
- Northeast Massachusetts regional coordinator, 1998 Democratic Campaign
- President, College Democrats of Massachusetts, 1994 to 1996
Current Occupation / Work Experience
- Full-time state representative, 2001 to present
- Self-employed computer consultant, 1997 to 2000
- Teacher, Advanced Network Operating System Engineering
Degrees Held / Education
- BA, Boston College, Political Science and Communications
- Saugus High School Graduate
- Attended Saugus public schools K-12
Currently A Member Of...
- Saugus River Watershed Council
- Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE)
- Saugus Business Education Collaborative
- Friend of Breakheart Reservation
- North Shore Computer Society
- Boston Macintosh User Group
What plans do you have to help both public safety resources and schools?
I plan to keep fighting for local aid for all four of the communities in the Ninth Essex District, both general local aid and also aid that is targeted to schools and public safety resources.
Just in the recent past, I have secured an extra $355,000 in education aid and an extra $227,000 in general local aid.
Fighting hard for Saugus, Wakefield, Lynn, and Lynnfield means spending a lot of time at the State House and sometimes traveling to meetings in other parts of the state. That's why I work full-time as a state representative and that's why I sometimes have to miss events in the district that I would like to attend.
What are your thoughts on potential RESCO expansion (burners and landfill)?
I am against RESCO expansion. I have fought to maintain the statewide moratorium on expansion of incinerators and landfills.
What are your feelings regarding the impact of 40B on our neighborhoods and infrastructure (water, sewer, streets, schools, etc.)?
40B is a serious threat to a town that already has issues with school overcrowding and has endured a long series of painful budget cuts. Because 40B allows developers to bypass the town's zoning rules, it is common for 40B projects to be outside the scale of the neighborhoods in which they are placed. Even more galling, many developers will propose 40B projects as a way to force the town to waive zoning rules and accept projects that have nothing to do with affordable housing. 40B may have been well intended when it was first adopted many years ago but it is badly in need of reform. That's why I support the reform bill sponsored by Rep. Honan. This bill would limit the number of 40B developments in a year, counts Department of Mental Retardation homes as affordable, and half-counts mobile homes.
What else do you think is important?
Prescription drug coverage for senior citizens through the Prescription Advantage program, bulk purchasing, and the importation of Canadian drugs.
Switching the ownership of the route 1 pipes to the MWRA. This bill, which I was able to get the House to pass, would be worth $22 million to Saugus.
Using my background as an information technology professional, the only one in the Legislature, to help the state grow economically and to modernize the state government itself.
Working hard for every constituent that calls my office.
Has not yet participated.
Political Web Page: http://panetta2004.org/
E-mail Address:
Town: Saugus Precinct: Five
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
- Saugus Town Meeting Member (4 terms = 8 years)
- Lobbied for National Healthcare Reform in Washington DC
- Family Related Apartment Committee (Secretary)
- Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (past President, current Board member)
Current Occupation / Work Experience
- Financial Consultant, Liberty Mutual
- co-owner, US Realty Development, LLC
- Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (UNICARE, over 6 years)
- Senior Financial Officer (John Hancock, 10 years)
- Accounting Supervisor (Brown Rudnick, 3+ years)
- Past restaurant owner
Degrees Held / Education
- Masters in Business Administration, Northeastern University
- BSBA in Accounting, Suffolk University (Magna Cum Laude)
- CTM designation, LOMA
- Received certificates of completion for courses in management, leadership, communication, negotiating, and computers (mainframe and standalone)
- Received Corporate Award
Currently A Member Of...
- Saugus Tree Committee
- Saugus Vision / Scope Committee
- Blessed Sacrament Church
- North Shore Coalition for Health and the Environment
- Friends of the Library
- Lynnhurst School PTO (two children attending)
- Beta Gamma Sigma
What plans do you have to help both public safety resources and schools?
Education is a top priority. We have children stuffed in over-crowded classrooms going to sub-standard schools. It is unfair to have students pay a $300 activity fee for sports, art, drama, or any other extra-curricular activity. I also believe in free all-day Kindergarten.
We need to insure that our police, firefighters, and EMTs have the resources needed to protect our communities. It is inconceivable that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has watched as cities and town close down fire stations and cutback police.
I will support and initiate efforts to restore and increase local aid to our cities and towns. The incumbent has not supported the return of $100,000,000 in excess lottery funds to the cities and towns.
I would study each formula used at the state level, and make recommendations to a more equitable allocation for our district. I have over 20 years of experience analyzing allocations and preparing budget.
What are your thoughts on potential RESCO expansion (burners and landfill)?
No Third Burner!
The facility currently burns 1,500 tons of trash each day, where 300 tons of ash go into an UNLINED landfill. (3.7% of this trash comes from Saugus).
Cancer rates are significantly higher than average in Saugus, Lynn, and Revere
Solid Waste incineration produces dioxin, mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals that can cause low birth weights, respiratory, and neurological damage.
RESCO's plant and landfill are located entirely within the Rumney Marsh ACEC.
RESCO's landfill is to be closed within the next 5 years, and covered with a grassy mix. RESCO officials wanted the height limit to be raised from 50 feet to 90 feet.
Massachusetts has a moratorium on the expansion and building of incinerators.
I worked tirelessly as a Town Meeting Member to pass three articles empowering citizens on solid waste facilities, also hosting two environmental forums (incumbent didn't attend).
What are your feelings regarding the impact of 40B on our neighborhoods and infrastructure (water, sewer, streets, schools, etc.)?
Some people need affordable housing to survive. I think that 40B can be beneficial, if used correctly. Unfortunately, there are some developers who use 40B to "blackmail" the city or town into doing what they want. Once a developer files for 40B, they can overrun our zoning bylaws and clear-cut open space. This could have a detrimental impact on the infrustructure of the community (e.g., overcrowded classrooms, cause safety issues, street maintenance, etc.)
I am in favor of including mobile homes and section 8 vouchers as part of the 40B formula. I would have also voted for the 40B Omnibus amendment which would have given the cities and towns more control over developers. For example, if a city or town had plans in place to increase their affordable housing stock by 1/2% per year, then they could say "no", to any new 40B projects. The incumbent voted against this amendment.
What else do you think is important?
Affordable healthcare and prescription medicines for everyone is important. Having over 25% of people living in Massachusetts under 65 with no heath care is problematic.
I strongly believe that the issue of same sex marriage should be before the voters.
The Ninth Essex district should include ALL of Saugus.
We should take care of our environment.
I am strongly committed to being accessible, dependable, and reliable for YOU! My loyalty will be to the people of the Ninth Essex District, and not to any special interest group. If elected, I will have an office located within our district with both morning and evening hours to accommodate your schedule. This office will not be at the expense of the taxpayers; it will be my personal contribution to our district's fiscal problem. My website will also be updated with all the important votes and issues within the House of Representatives.
Has not yet participated.
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