Pols join the political fray
Despite the wind and rain on Tuesday night Oct. 25th, more than 30 Democratic activists convened in Room 103 at the Town Offices to hear messages delivered by Deb Goldberg, candidate for Lieutenant Governor and Gerry Leone, candidate for Middlesex District Attorney.
Attendees included members of the Littleton Town Democratic Committee, members of town committees from surrounding communities that are part of the Middlesex Worcester Democratic Coalition, including activists from Maynard, Acton, Stow, Southboro, Harvard, and Townsend, and other interested citizens.
Both candidates appreciated the ample time allowed for their presentations and took time to describe their personal history and how that influenced their route into public service.
Goldberg's family has roots in Brookline and Boston going back four generations and her family's involvement in community and public service modeled her path in the same direction. With advanced degrees in law and business she has extensive experience in business and non-profit organizations, serving on the Boards and as Overseer of such non-profits as Children's Hospital, Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts, Brookline Music School as well as several others.
She recently ended six years as selectman in Brookline, serving her last two years as chairman. Having been encouraged by Rep. Barney Frank to run for lieutenant governor, she decided to not stand for reelection as selectman but to devote her energies to running her campaign for statewide office.
She understands the concerns of communities such as Littleton where reductions in state aid have pushed the load of fiscal responsibility onto the local communities resulting in overrides and divisions among local constituencies vying for diminished resources. She believes the root of many of our difficulties in Massachusetts stem from a lack of leadership and initiative at the executive level and that her mix of political skills and real-life experiences can help restore Massachusetts to its former self - a fiscally responsible, socially progressive, and economically innovative Commonwealth.
Leone's family also has roots in Brookline and Boston. Born in Brighton with family roots in the Whiskey Point section of Brookline (famous for the Kennedy family residence), his family moved to Franklin where his father coached high school football.
Imbued with his family's strong work ethic, Leone worked his way through Harvard, and managed to play four years of football as a defensive back and captained the boxing team. While working toward his law degree at night, he set out on his prosecutorial career by working at the Suffolk County District Attorney's office as a liaison between the clerk's office, courts, and district attorney's office, and prosecuted cases while still a student.
In the intervening 15 years from then to now he has amassed an unmatched record of successful prosecutorial experience. Leone said his overriding motivation has always been to "keep people safe" and to be an advocate for those victims who cannot speak for themselves.
Some of this motivation was fueled by experiences early in his career when he worked as Supervisor in the Roxbury district attorney's office and while prosecuting cases served as a member of a community-based crime prevention group at Roxbury District Court, during the height of gang and homicide activity in Boston from 1989-1991.
During his career he has drawn local, national, and international attention by his successful prosecution of such high profile crimes as the Louise Woodward shaken-baby case and the treasury case where several defendants were convicted of the largest theft of public monies in the state's history, recovering nearly $10 million.
Most recently he successfully prosecuted Richard Reid, the "shoebomber" for trying to blow up an American Airlines plane with 180 passengers on board. His talents in managing prosecution offices, ability to build collaborative partnerships, and his development of proactive programs in crime prevention resulted in his being recommended for and serving as the first Massachusetts Anti-Terrorism coordinator after Sept. 11, 2001. He is committed to continuing to serve the public with his unique and disciplined talents by running for and winning the office of Middlesex District Attorney.
The Littleton Town Democratic Committee was pleased to host this forum sponsored by the Middlesex Worcester Democratic Coalition. This is one of several forums being held throughout the communities comprising Senator Pam Resor's district to acquaint voters with candidates running for elected office in the 2006 elections.
Democracy is not a spectator sport and the committee urges any registered Democrat to become involved in the work of the Committee and the Coalition and to become informed about the candidates and issues in the upcoming elections.
For further information, contact Jane Chrisfield at 978-486-4419.
