Candidates Night in Harvard, MA
The Middlesex & Worcester Dems sponsored a candidates night Sunday, November 20th at the Harvard Public Library with Mike Festa and Cam Kerry (Yeah, as in John Kerry's brother)
First up was Middlesex DA candidate Mike Festa.
Mike Festa is a four-term state representative from Melrose. He is running on his state rep experience as well as his experience as a prosecutor and private attorney. He spoke about the importance of crime prevention, which was to be expected, but what impressed me was his focus on rehabilitation, not just incarceration. He spoke about how the drug treatment budget in Massachusetts has been savaged, and how the state is good at locking people up, but not as good a making sure that those people get treatment to ensure that they don't re-offend. He supports the idea that prosecutors should be able look at treatment and sentence alternatives. That is a very welcome change I think from the old "lock 'em up and throw away the key" attitude that some prosecutors have. Very progressive. I was impressed.
Next up was Cam Kerry, candidate for Secretary of State. Yeah, I know, but he says he's running, so there ya go.
Cam Kerry is currently a lawyer, and litigation partner with Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo. He has worked on political campaigns since he was a teenager. The cornerstone of his campaign is to ensure fair, honest, open elections, which having worked on his brother's many campaigns, including John Kerry's failed presidential bid, I'm sure he knows a thing or two about that. Cam Kerry helped develop the Citizen's Information Service He supports same day registration as a tool to get more people to vote and would like to create a "Citizen Participation Service" to encourage more people to get involved in the voting and elections process.
Cam Kerry is a very thoughtful speaker. He really seemed to take a moment and consider what he is saying, rather than just spit the words out.
I would urge all voters to get to a speaker meeting and see the candidates in person and talk to them, and ask them their positions on things. Folks in my town committee are always impressed that I've spoken to this candidate, or that candidate, but honestly the candidates are more than happy to talk to voters and they want to, but voters need to meet them halfway and go to candidates meetings or other events. That can help you make an informed decision before you vote.
That's another good reason to subscribe to the DDemDispatch
First up was Middlesex DA candidate Mike Festa.
Mike Festa is a four-term state representative from Melrose. He is running on his state rep experience as well as his experience as a prosecutor and private attorney. He spoke about the importance of crime prevention, which was to be expected, but what impressed me was his focus on rehabilitation, not just incarceration. He spoke about how the drug treatment budget in Massachusetts has been savaged, and how the state is good at locking people up, but not as good a making sure that those people get treatment to ensure that they don't re-offend. He supports the idea that prosecutors should be able look at treatment and sentence alternatives. That is a very welcome change I think from the old "lock 'em up and throw away the key" attitude that some prosecutors have. Very progressive. I was impressed.
Next up was Cam Kerry, candidate for Secretary of State. Yeah, I know, but he says he's running, so there ya go.
Cam Kerry is currently a lawyer, and litigation partner with Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo. He has worked on political campaigns since he was a teenager. The cornerstone of his campaign is to ensure fair, honest, open elections, which having worked on his brother's many campaigns, including John Kerry's failed presidential bid, I'm sure he knows a thing or two about that. Cam Kerry helped develop the Citizen's Information Service He supports same day registration as a tool to get more people to vote and would like to create a "Citizen Participation Service" to encourage more people to get involved in the voting and elections process.
Cam Kerry is a very thoughtful speaker. He really seemed to take a moment and consider what he is saying, rather than just spit the words out.
I would urge all voters to get to a speaker meeting and see the candidates in person and talk to them, and ask them their positions on things. Folks in my town committee are always impressed that I've spoken to this candidate, or that candidate, but honestly the candidates are more than happy to talk to voters and they want to, but voters need to meet them halfway and go to candidates meetings or other events. That can help you make an informed decision before you vote.
That's another good reason to subscribe to the DDemDispatch
posted by susan at 1:44 AM
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