White for state Senate

    Raise high the roof beams! Climb to your roofs and yell it from the top of your lungs and the bottom of your hearts: William A. White for state Senate!
    The Somerville News has given its enthusiastic endorsement to White, R-Somerville, in his bid for the 2nd Middlesex state Senate seat.

     In our endorsement for the Democratic primary in the same race, we praised White’s opponent Patricia D. Jehlen for her 30 years of tireless advocacy for this city. She has truly been a leader who has always fought the good fight. Then, as now, we decided not to endorse her. Not because of any shortcomings in her record and campaign, but because of an exceptional opponent who deserves our support.
     That exceptional opponent is White.
     The important facet of White’s candidacy is not the R next to his name, but the eight years of public service behind it.
     As Chairman of the Finance Committee, White has skillfully guided the city through its recent financial hardships with an expertise that benefited each citizen.
    He successfully lobbied Governor Paul Cellucci for a 30% reduction in property tax for Somerville residents. Certainly, many families have White to thank for the decrease in their taxes and extra cash in their pockets. But the move was about more than money. It encouraged long-time homeowners to stay in the city, thus allowing the people who helped build the city into the dynamic urban community it is today to stay.
     It has always been about community for White. In 2003, when the first dramatic cuts in state aid sliced into the city, he held public hearings not only to inform citizens of the consequences, but also to learn their thoughts and ideas on the city’s budget.
     In 2004 when the controversial gang ordinance was dividing politicos and residents alike, White added a provision to the ordinance that called for the formation of a gang advisory board. The board would be made up of community leaders who may not agree with the ordinance and were encouraged to give their criticisms of how it was being implemented in the street. Again, the important thing for White was including every segment of the community in the decision making process and allowing each citizen to have their voice heard.
     In his eight years on the Board of Alderman, White has elevated his legislative skills to an art form. He never isolated himself and is willing to compromise with his colleagues in order to get the job done.
     The four democratic aldermen who have endorsed White (Maryann Heuston, William A. Roche, Walter Pero and Dennis M. Sullivan) did so at great political risk. They did not risk being removed from the democratic city committee because they were “friends” or because they wanted to gain favor with him. They did so because they have witnessed his effective, non-partisan methods over the past eight years and know he will continue his excellent work in the State House.      
     The district, and Somerville in particular, is in dire need of a skilled advocate. When decreases in local aid cut into every corner of the state in 2003, the 2nd Middlesex District was cut deepest. Somerville lost funding for police officers, firefighters and schoolteachers.
     With a frightening fiscal future looming, Somerville needs a leader who can utilize financial expertise and advanced political acumen to bring home much needed aid. That leader is William A. White Jr. and he deserves your vote for state Senator September 27.