09-10-2004                              SATURDAY
MOORECOL-                                                                  
Number 5

Esty - snappy go-getter for House

BY BOB MOORE

A lot is said - and written - about Framingham's Ginger Esty that doesn't 
come close to the truth. As the "one" in Manager George King's 4-1 Board of 
Selectmen, they say she's there just to make trouble for King.

Trouble she does cause as she presses for facts that often don't square with 
the board's way of thinking guided by Charlie Sisitsky. She's wrong? Well, 
tested the last election, Ginger polled 500 votes more than Charlie who still 
controls the board. 

Sort of raises a question, doesn't it? about how the board mosies along with 
no particular [achievable] goal in sight. That lopsided difference has not 
gone unnoticed. And there are those [some say many] who wonder if a few votes 
next April might change the way things go - or not go. At worst, maybe those who 
vote for her feel "Ginger is an oversight on the board's habits."

But Ginger is running for the seat vacated by Rep. Karen Spilka who's looking 
to be the next senator. On those grounds it is frequently said that her firm 
fight to overturn the bargain rate $5,600 Ashland paid Framingham for four 
decades . . . . Well, wouldn't that make her a loser? Wouldn't Ashland voters 
strike back?

Who knows? But I would wager that they also might go for another fighter when 
the chips are down. Ginger fights hard. And she's not above going after 
challengers. En garde. She is a heavyweight on facts.

Also from Framingham is Chesley Oriel whose experience in local politics is 
limited to some fisticuffs with Sen. Ed Burke about 15 years ago. In Ashland, 
Tom Sannicandro, successor to Karen Spilka School Committee chairman, does pose 
a fight for Esty.

Sannicandro is a determined votegetter whose stands in education have won him 
considerable support. Also, he grew up on the Southside in Framingham. He has 
one handicap. Registered as an independent, he neglected to change his 
registration in time to be in the Democratic primary next Tuesday. Waging a sticker 
campaign is rugged. But Sannicandro wasn't raised to quit easy. It could be a 
tussle.

But getting back to Ginger. Two jobs - rep and selectman? Similar to 
Stefanini in the 90's. One other thing that is glossed over in the knocks on her. She 
is an appointee on the Metropolitan Planning Group responsible for keeping an 
even keel on road developments. 

Esty reports to the board - in detail, alerting the town to the need to 
keep fighting for the best deal in changes. If you've been wondering what you 
need to know to make your traveling from here to there less stressful, you 
could listen in.

Let's remember a few things about this twinning of Framingham and Ashland in 
this House district, a key point in improving travel in MetroWest, she will be 
bringing her vast knowledge of transportation to work. 

And don't forget, this district represents 26.000 in Framingham - and 14,000 
in Ashland. And let's talk about Southside - that begins at Rte. 9. And forget 
that denigrating term "South Framingham." 

NEW LOCATION - Town Counsel Chris Petrini has opened his private practice, 
Petrini & Associates, 181 Worcester Road, Suite 304. His new town counsel 
contract was ratified by the Board of selectmen last night.
____________________________________
You can reach Bob Moore at edmoore4@ao;.com and  At 1-508-629-1449. [Let it 
ring, he's slow.]