THE PEOPLE of the Fourth Middlesex District need a senator who can persuade the Legislature to give cities and towns greater responsibility to deliver local services and more resources to pay for them. James Marzilli has shown in his 17 years as a state representative that he can think and act creatively on local and statewide issues. He deserves to win the special Democratic primary for state Senate next Tuesday, Nov. 13.
Marzilli, from Arlington, helped push the "circuit breaker" bill through the Legislature in 1999 to give elderly homeowners on limited incomes a reduction in their property tax bills. He filed the bill in 1997 that abolished Middlesex County, removing an unnecessary and wasteful layer of government. And in his hometown, he spearheaded an environmental coalition five years ago that saved the town thousands of dollars by installing new bulbs and other efficient-energy products in street lights and in government buildings. He is smart, innovative, and conscientious, and would be a major asset to the Senate.
The district, represented since 1990 by the retiring Robert Havern, encompasses all of Arlington, Burlington and Billerica, and most of Lexington and Woburn. Marzilli wants to create a revolving loan fund to give these and all the other communities in the state the incentives to make the energy efficiencies that helped Arlington. Leadership on environmental issues at the State House earned him the Legislator of the Year award from the Environmental League of Massachusetts in 2001.
Marzilli would give communities greater power to raise revenue by closing the property-tax loophole for telecommunications equipment and by allowing cities and towns to levy a meals tax. To reduce long-term expenses, he would make it easier for communities to join the state pension system if their own plans are posting subpar performances.
Marzilli has also been a strong advocate for people who barely get by in this affluent state. Sound social values combined with a seasoned commitment to local empowerment make him the clear choice to gain the Democratic nomination for state Senate.
Boston votes today
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Boston today for City Council elections. Voters can choose candidates for at-large seats as well as their own district councilor. In the only open district seat, the Boston Globe endorses Mark Ciommo to represent Allston-Brighton (Ninth District). He is best suited to help stabilize a neighborhood beset by low homeownership rates and institutional expansion. For the at-large seats, we make only one recommendation, for John Connolly of West Roxbury. This lawyer and former teacher of underprivileged kids represents the right kind of change for a predictable council: thoughtful, energetic, and committed to keeping middle-class families of all races in Boston.
