Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Editor's note: Candidates for the Second Hampden District State Representative seat, previously occupied by State Rep. Mary Rogeness, agreed to participate in a Q&A session with Reminder Publications. Brian Ashe, D-Longmeadow, and William Sciobelli, R-Longmeadow, answer important questions concerning the districts the winner will reside over. 1) What will you do as State Representative to help the Second Hampden District go green? Brian Ashe: First and foremost, for the 2nd Hampden to go green they have to understand what that means and how it will benefit them for now and in the future. There needs to be a promotional campaign that shows the benefits of going green as well as the negative impact if we fail to do so in a timely fashion. Longmeadow as well as other communities in the district has already started to take measures to do their part by recycling, purchasing green materials for projects and looking at green building when it comes to renovation or building a new high school. William Scibelli: One of the most important pieces of legislation to pass in Boston was the bill that allowed cities and towns to enter into "performance contracts." As cities and towns undertake new construction and or renovation projects, contracts can be entered into between contractors and towns to pay for the projects through future energy savings utilizing "green" technology. I fully support such contracts. 2) Two of the schools in the district Longmeadow High and Minnechaug Regional -- are currently under MSBA consideration for either new or renovated facilities. What will you do to help Longmeadow and Hampden move forward with these projects? BA: In Longmeadow we have already taken steps to move forward. There is a recommended feasibility study for Longmeadow High School which would help to determine if it makes more sense to build a new high school or renovate the current one. Minnechaug is going through a similar process. After this phase is complete then we have to look at funding for these projects. Does it make more sense for a community to have an override and pay for it that way? Or does it make more sense to bond for such a project which will put a timeline on paying back such a debt. There is also potential money from the state if certain deadlines are met as well as incentives for going green with these projects. WS: The MSBA has specific guidelines that are being followed by both Longmeadow and Hampden/Wilbraham. As our State Representative, I will work to ensure that the MSBA provides sufficient reimbursement to our communities regardless of new or renovated projects. 3) You've both shared your opinions on Question 1 on November's ballot. Where do you stand on Question 2 (the decriminalization of less than an ounce of marijuana) and Question 3 (banning dog racing)? BA: Working for the Sheriff's Department for the past 15 and 1/2 years I certainly see the negative impact that drugs can have on our society. However it appears to me that the real deadly drugs are heroin, crack cocaine and methamphetamine. I would like to see more emphasis on the deadly drugs and the deadly drug dealers. Not that I am advocating drug use of any kind but I would rather see more drug education and intervention when dealing with marijuana. I would hate to see an otherwise productive college student get arrested for having marijuana and see his/her college career go up in smoke. As far as dog racing, it seems like a cruel way to keep dogs. They are supposed to be man's best friend, not caged up and kept in less than desirable conditions for the enjoyment of others. WS: I oppose legalizing marijuana and I support a ban on greyhound racing. 4) Are you in favor of the Pioneer Valley Commuter Rail project that would link Springfield to New York City and Boston? If so, how do you plan on helping this project move forward? BA: I am 100 percent in favor of the commuter rail project going north and south as well east and west. I think that is time that we made ourselves an attractive part of the state. Too often we have been swept aside and now it is time for us to become a viable productive part of the state. Boston is built out and people are moving further and further away trying to find affordable housing. There is room in Western Massachusetts for businesses and the land is much less expensive than in the eastern part of the state. WS: I love the idea of improving our rail system in the Pioneer Valley. However I have serious concerns about funding. The overall concept of connecting Springfield to Boston and New York is a win/win situation. The possibility of significant increases in the price of a rail ticket and the continuity of governmental funding are the challenges that will have to be overcome. I personally would like to see federal funding being provided as it has a direct effect on interstate commerce. 5) As this issue is still under discussion, what is your stance on gay marriage in the Commonwealth? BA: I support our current laws that allow gay marriage in the Commonwealth. WS: Gay marriage is the law in Massachusetts. I believe that issues dealing with fundamental institutions such as marriage belong to the electorate and not the courts. 6) How will you find new ways to bring new revenue streams to the towns in the Second Hampden District that rely so heavily on real estate tax? BA: This is a real difficult question as I am not in office yet. If it were that easy I think that everyone would be doing this all the time. I think that what is important is to have someone take office that is going to be able to work with their fellow legislatures here in Western Massachusetts and someone who will be able to work with the delegation from the eastern part of the state. I believe that is one place where I have a distinctive edge over my Republican opponent. As a Democrat I will be able to work with our current legislature as they are predominately Democrats. It will be much easier to negotiate with them to be able to bring revenue back to this part of the state then it will be than to fight with them as my Republican opponent would have to do and get nothing. I have already started to work with our current legislatures and I look forward to their continued support once I take office. WS: I would first combine "additional assistance" funds with "local aid" funds. Boston currently receives almost 50 percent of the "additional assistance funds" but by combining the two funds, the 2nd Hampden District will receive an increase in "local aid." Fiscal responsibility at the State level would free up additional funds for local aid. Also, I would work on recalculating the method upon which local aid is distributed to our communities. I do not support any additional taxes. |
