With the Special Election to fill the vacancy left by State Representative Stephen “Stat” Smith’s indictment and resulting resignation from office less than a month away, The Everett Independent will be running a series of Question and Answer interviews with all seven of the candidates over the next several weeks, to help voters better acquaint themselves with the candidates, their views and what they hope to accomplish.
All seven candidates, five in the Democratic Primary and two Independents in the General Election, will be asked the same four questions, in order to give each a fair chance to answer.
John Hanlon
By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.
Democrat John Hanlon’s answers.
Question 1 – How long have you been involved in city government as an elected or appointed official?
A: I served on the Board of Aldermen for 22 years, as City Clerk for 18 years, as Mayor for two years and for two years on the Charter Commission.
Question 2 – What is the central theme of your candidacy?
A: To continue to look out for the best interests of the city of Everett. To ensure that whatever my predecessor had started or was involved in at the statehouse that was in the best interests of Everett is continued and to understand that I’d be part of a bigger picture as Everett’s representative to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Knowing that there are times that I’ll have to be a partner for the entire state.
Question 3 – What will be your top priority as State Representative?
A: My top priority would be the budget. To understand where the money comes from and where it goes and establish what portion of funds come to the city of Everett. Also to understand that sometimes I’d have to focus on the overall good, including for the good of Everett.
Question 4 – Why should voters choose you?
A: I think because of my experience. I believe that I have things to offer that others (in the race) do not have. I’ve been the head of the local government, been responsible for organizing and making a budget and trying to be responsible for the implementation of that budget. Understanding that just because we forecast and set a budget for an area, that doesn’t mean you have to spend it and there are times when you can look at the budget and decide ‘how much of that budget do we really need?’ and “how much of that can we save for other concerns and priorities?’
Wayne Matewsky
By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.
Democrat Councilor Wayne Matewsky’s answers.
Question 1 – How long have you been involved in city government as an elected or appointed official?
A: For over 30 years I have been a City Councilman and Alderman At Large for the City of Everett. I was president of the City Council in 1999 and 2005. Presently I serve as a member of the Everett Housing Authority Board. In addition I am now serving as a Councilman for Ward 1 and presently chairman of the Ward 1 Democratic City Committee and I have been a member of the Democratic City Committee for over 32 years.
Question 2 – What is the central theme of your candidacy?
A: The central theme is being accessible to the needs and concerns of our community. To work with the leadership of the House of Representatives to ensure that the citizens of Everett are effectively represented at the state house.
Question 3 – What will be your top priority as State Representative?
A: My top priority is to be sure Everett obtains it’s fair share of vital services from the state and continues to receive its fair share of services from state agencies such as the M.B.T.A and Department of Conservation and Recreation. However my number one priority will always remain the same: Senior Citizens, Veterans and working families.
Question 4 – Why should voters choose you?
A: Voters should choose me because I have of over 30 years of proven city and state house experience with the knowledge and dedication that Everett will need and deserves.
Sergio Cornelio
By Joseph Domelowicz Jr. Democrat Sergio Cornelio’s answers.
Question 1 – How long have you been involved in city government as an elected or appointed official?
A: I’ve been elected to the Council for three terms, so I’m in my fifth year, including one as President of the Council.
Question 2 – What is the central theme of your candidacy?
A: My slogan is ‘Safer streets, stronger community.” I believe having a stronger public safety workforce will bring us safer streets and a stronger community to live and work in.
Question 3 – What will be your top priority as State Representative?
A: My top priority will be to build an account at the state level that would help struggling communities such as ours, by stabilizing their state aid. State aid to municipalities has been cut over the past few years and I think we need to keep the state aid funding as high as possible, so communities like ours can survive.
Question 4 – Why should voters choose you?
A: Because I have been an elected official now for five years, I have the knowledge needed to succeed, but I don’t have the (political) ties, that some of the other candidates, who have been in government for 20, 30 or 40 years. I will work for the people of Everett. Being the youngest candidate in the race, I think gives me an advantage. I have the time and energy to work hard for the voters of the city in the statehouse.