09-09-2004
MOORECOL-  4                                                                  
                            

Spilka Is Ready . . . Day One!

By BOB MOORE

            Rep. Karen Spilka, this every-day-active legislator, is well 
qualified to be the state senator for Framingham and six other MetroWest towns. 

I say that on the basis of her work, before she entered the
 State House three years ago and since - as the representative of 40,000 
Framingham and Ashland residents. 

            The first step is next Tuesday at the Democratic primary when 
voters will cast votes for three Democrats - Jerry Desilets, Adam Sisitsky and 
Spilka - to see which one will go on to Nov. 2 when the victor will face Jim 
Coffey of Hopkinton, heavily backed by Gov. Romney in a bid to recover the Second 
Middlesex and Norfolk seat held for 30 years by Democrats -- Ed Burke and 
David Magnani.

            What I say next, I think  has some bearing in the race. It comes 
from Burke who served 20 years as senator. Desilets cites his work as an aide 
and ally to Burke who was senator for 20 years. Yet at the outset of this 
campaign, Burke noted Desilets years on the Hill and said he supported Spilka :

            "Karen understands the issues facing our region and has already 
proven herself  and delivered for the district. I am familiar with all the 
candidates and I choose Karen with confidence. I know she will continue to be a 
force on Beacon Hill as our state senator." 

            Desilets has been a factor in local politics. One of the inner 
circle in this Democratic town. Sometimes moderator,  he has fitted into a 
number of jobs that some felt needed to be filled. He has the firm backing of 
onetime state rep and top Finneran aide John Stefanini. His supporters say "Jerry 
always wanted this post." Many people on the edge of politics remember Jerry as 
"a good guy."

            Sisitsky, a Framingham native, is the son of Charlie Sisitsky, 
the main force on the Board of Selectmen. Adam has waged the hottest campaign of 
all. His signs seem to grow spontaneously. And he has the backing of the 
politically-active Boston law firm of Mintz Levin from which he has resigned. With 
Desilets, he manages to convey the impression that anyone who made the grade 
in the House of Representatives - well, uh.

            You may recall in 1998, locals were flocking to Ashland to join 
forces with a woman "who wants to improve Ch. 70 funding." Karen Spilka was 
that woman and this year she called together about 100 education-minded persons 
and officials from the Berkshires to the Cape. At Framingham State College this 
speak-up workshop worked on practical measures along that line. Its work 
continues. So do those allies.

            Karen lays the groundwork for future moves. That's one example. 
As a legislator, she works to get what can be gotten, step by step. Not a 
shouter, she brings her experience as a mediator to inch ahead on issues she 
advocates. Education is one. Improved MetroWest transportation is another. Until I 
did some homework on the rep district, she was casually referred to as 
representing "south Framingham," a term used to imply lack of a Framingham concern. I 
checked : She represents 26,000 Framingham residents, beginning with Precinct 
8. And 14,000 in Ashland where as School Committee chairman she made it her 
business to inform residents what was coming up next. And why.

            All told, I believe Rep. Karen Spilka has the knowhow and 
determination to make an active state senator from Framingham, 
Ashland, Natick, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway and Franklin. Think it over and 
vote Tuesday. She did well for 40,000 residents of Framingham and Ashland. 
Time to move on.
    
            SELECTMEN TONIGHT [Thursday] will be acting on a new town counsel 
contract for Chris Petrini. Setting new terms and fees will be on the docket 
now that Petrini does not include added services provided by the Boston firm 
from which he retired. Chris just opened his own office in Framingham.

            Selectmen will also be explaining their goals for FY 2006 which 
starts next July 1. How time flies. And issues mount. The next meeting will be 
held on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
_______________________________________________
You can reach Bob Moore at edmoore4@aol.com or at 1-508-620-1449. [Let it 
ring, he's slow.]