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Iraqi veteran vies for Olver's seat

Bech is noted as supporting lowering corporate taxes to encourage domestic job stability. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs
By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



HOLYOKE The fact that four people turned out at the Holyoke Public Library to speak with him apparently didn't affect Republican Congressional candidate Nathan Bech.

The Army veteran of the Iraqi War shared his views and answered questions for about an hour to the folks who were visibly impressed by him.

Bech is crisscrossing the First Congressional District, currently represented by John Olver, in a series of gatherings with voters. Earlier in the day of his Holyoke visit, Bech appeared at the Granby Public Library.

Bech grew up in West Springfield and after graduating from West Springfield High School spent three years in India studying under the sponsorship of Rotary International. He entered the Army upon his return as a private and attended Officer Training School. He was also sent to Russian language school. Bech served in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

After his military service he received his bachelor's degree from Colgate University and continued his studies in the Middle East at UMass Amherst.

He operated his family's property management business.

Bech's political slogan is "Bipartisan Solutions. Better Government." Although during his speech he quoted Pres. Ronald Reagan several times, Bech's stands alternated between conservative and liberal points of view.

He is in favor of universal healthcare through lowering the cost of private health care. He wishes to build a barrier on the Mexican border as part of an effort to decrease illegal immigration from the nation.

He noted that Olver has not supported the building of a wall or fence, but has supported funding for the building of a telescope project in Mexico.

"He's looking for the wrong kinds of alien," Bech joked.

Bech asserted that Olver has not supported efforts to bring some energy relief to the nation. Bech would like to see new refineries built and greater domestic oil drilling operations.

"We have to get rid of our dependence on foreign oil," he said. "That's why we have troops overseas."

Bech supports the development of fusion energy development, which would "get us out of the Middle East. It's good for the environment and it's good for us economically."

Olver, he said, wants Americans to "burn our food," referring to the use of corn to produce fuel.

Bech said he believes that local governments should seek solutions before going to the state and that states should do the same before going to the federal government. He said that approach "keeps responsibility at the lowest level."

In his campaign literature available at the meeting, Bech is noted as supporting lowering corporate taxes to encourage domestic job stability, would support the end of the war in Iraq and protecting the environment.

For more information on his candidacy, log onto www.nathanbech.com or call 788-0669.