With the Special Election to fill the vacancy left by State Representative Stephen “Stat” Smith’s indictment and resulting resignation from offic. 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.
Dennis Giantassio
Independent Dennis Giantassio’s answers.
Question 1 – How long have you been involved in city government as an elected or appointed official?
A: I served two terms (four years) as a member of the Everett School Committee including one year as Chairman
Question 2 – What is the central theme of your candidacy?
A: The central theme of my candidacy is the innate, inviolable and inalienable dignity of each and every human person from the first moment of conception to the last moment of natural death. I am 100% pro-life, 100% pro-marriage between one man and one woman, 100% pro-economic justice, and 100% pro-political representation for all people, especially those in need.
Question 3 – What will be your top priority as State Representative?
A: My top priority as State Representative from Everett will be to work diligently to renew and reform our city, state, and society by returning to the bedrock spiritual and moral foundations of a sane, just and loving community. I will be a passionate and persistent voice on behalf of the true “culture of life” which is increasingly threatened today by the deceit and danger of the “culture of death.”
Question 4 – Why should voters choose you?
A: My desire to serve people comes from the depths of my heart! My dedication and devotion both to God and to people is real! And I have been blessed with both the skill and experience to do the job right!
Rosa DiFlorio
Independent Rosa DiFlorio’s answers.
Question 1 – How long have you been involved in city government as an elected or appointed official?
A: This is my fourth term, so at the end of this term it would be eight years.
Question 2 – What is the central theme of your candidacy?
A: I’m running for the right reasons. First of all, I think it’s time for our politicians to start getting along with each other. There’s too much politics. . .Republicans and Democrats have to start working together to get things done for our country, especially at the federal level. But even in this state, we need to start working together better and I think that means Independents needs to get involved. We have to start making choices that are good for us, good for the city of Everett.
Question 3 – What will be your top priority as State Representative?
A: My top priority as an elected official has always been and will always be education. As a mother of five children, I know the value and importance of good education. But another priority is jobs, we need to figure out how to promote good job growth, so that when our children graduate they can get a job, a good job.
Question 4 – Why should voters choose you?
A: Because I’m in this race for the right reasons. I’m a female, I’m an immigrant and I’m an independent.