August 22, 2006
Goldberg’s First Commercial, “People First,” Hits the Airwaves

Boston, MA — Deb Goldberg, Democrat for Lieutenant Governor, began airing her first television commercial entitled “People First” this past Friday. The ad highlights three of Goldberg’s achievements while serving on the Brookline Board of Selectmen and as Managing Director of Adoptions with Love. Accompanied by testimonials from affected individuals, the ad spotlights her work to add firefighters, protect senior housing, and rescue an adoption agency.

The ad was produced by Julian Mulvey Group. It can be viewed by visiting www.debgoldberg.com or by contacting the Goldberg Campaign to receive an electronic version.

Deb Goldberg, a fifth generation Massachusetts resident, has the skills and experience to help get the state back on track. Goldberg, whose family founded Stop & Shop, learned from the ground up how to run a company with 50,000 employees that provided quality health insurance and pensions to all employees—full-timers and even part-timers – with only a 1% profit margin.

Goldberg was elected to the Brookline Board of Selectmen in 1998. As Chairman from 2002 until 2004, she was responsible for the town’s $190 million annual budget. Under her leadership in tough economic times, Brookline (population 58,000), maintained a strong financial position and was one of the few communities in the state to add teachers, fire fighters, and police each year without costly overrides. Deb Goldberg, 52, lives in Brookline with her husband, Michael Winter, and their two teenaged children, Evan and Meredith.

“PEOPLE FIRST” FACTS:

Brookline Firefighters –

? Between May 1998 and June 2004, 53 Firefighters were hired by the Town of Brookline while Deb was a Selectman, 28 of them while Deb was Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

? After Deb joined the Board of Selectmen in May of 1998 the Town of Brookline hired its first female firefighter.

? In January of 2004, the Town of Brookline hired three firefighters, all of whom had been laid off by their hometown Fire Departments (two from Springfield, one from Taunton).

Chet Riley, former President of the Brookline Firefighters Union, is available to answer any questions regarding Deb Goldberg and the hiring of firefighters while she served on the Brookline Board of Selectmen.

Senior Housing –

? In 2002, as 514 units of expiring-use affordable senior housing were able to be sold at market rate, Goldberg, then Chairman of the board of Selectmen, helped save seniors’ homes by coordinating the purchase of the property by Hebrew Senior Life, which has maintained their status as affordable housing for seniors.

? Through Hebrew Senior Life, Grants, and the Town of Brookline the funds were amassed to purchase the properties on Centre and Beacon Streets in Brookline.

? At that time, in 2002, these units made up roughly half of the senior housing in the town of Brookline.

Amy Schectman, Vice President of Real Estate Development & Management at Hebrew Senior Life is available for comment on the work done by Goldberg that resulted in the purchase of the property that saved numerous affordable homes for seniors.

Adoption Agency –

? Adoptions with Love’s placements were down and their financial outlook was dismal, forcing the Director to consider closing the agency. That is when Deb Goldberg, a member of the Board of Directors, stepped forward to make sure that would never happen.

? In April of 2001, Goldberg assumed the role of Managing Director and brought in the non-profit consultants and auditors they needed to get the agency back on solid footing.

? By December of 2001, Deb was able to hand the reins over to Amy Cohen, who remains the Executive Director of Adoptions with Love, which 5 years later, is thriving and placing approximately 35 children per year.

Amy Cohen is available for comment on the efforts and steps that Goldberg took to put Adoptions with Love on a road to success and solvency.