The Somerville Times submitted 5 questions to the candidates for the 34th Middlesex District State Representative seat, along with the opportunity to include a short bio/statement. The following answers were submitted by the candidates:

Christine Barber

1. Why did you decide to run for this office?

I am running for State Representative because we live in a vibrant, diverse community and I believe we have the opportunity to work together as neighbors to strengthen our community and improve the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I bring experience working in state government, commitment to people in our communities, and dedication to the shared progressive ideals of Medford and Somerville to be an exceptional advocate. My work in and around the State House has taught me that it is possible to improve the lives of my neighbors and strengthen the community through good policy decisions.

2. What would your priority be in your first term of office concerning Somerville?

The number one priority is ensuring that the Green Line Extension is completed to Rt. 16 in Medford and that it includes community input to meet all of our local needs. I am strongly committed to moving the Green Line through the process to become a reality in our neighborhoods.

3. Do you support the Green Line Extension? Please explain why.

I strongly support the Green Line Extension, which will serve thousands of people who are currently without good access to public transportation. The Green Line will reduce car usage and have significant environmental effects, it will bring substantial business to the local economy, particularly to small businesses, and it will help make our neighborhoods more connected. Massachusetts has a legal commitment to complete the Green Line Extension, but this will require close coordination with the community to make sure that everyone’s needs are heard and addressed throughout planning and construction.

4. Are you for the repeal of the Gas Tax Law, presently Question 1 on the ballot?

I am opposed to the repeal of the law that indexes the Massachusetts gas tax to keep up with inflation, Question 1 on the ballot. Repair of our roads and bridges keeps us safe. It is vitally important that this funding is available to maintain our roadways as well as public transportation. Without this law, a number of projects slated for Somerville and Medford will be at risk. And loss of this funding could result in a withdrawal of federal funds toward the Green Line Extension.

5. What do you think of one party rule in Massachusetts?

Since Massachusetts elected a Democratic Governor to work with the majority Democratic House and Senate, our state has seen strong gains in a number of areas. Currently, Massachusetts ranks first in education, energy efficiency, health care coverage, veteran’s services, economic competitiveness, precision manufacturing, life sciences and a number of other areas. We need only look at the dysfunction in Washington to understand the failures of partisan politics. In Massachusetts, there is strong support for the ideals of the Democratic Party and it has created meaningful results in our state.

Bio/statement:

Christine Barber has spent her career advocating for working families and local communities. As a leading staffer in the State House, she helped craft the largest expansion of health care coverage in the history of Massachusetts. She has continued to work for the past eight years as a senior health policy analyst both in Massachusetts and across the US. She listens to patients’ problems with the health care system and stands up to industry to work toward high-quality, affordable health care for everyone.

Christine is a leader in the Somerville Community Corporation, working with residents to bring development that works for the local community. She is Vice Chair of the Ward 4 Democratic Committee and a leader in the Progressive Democrats of Somerville, a group that has helped to elect Democrats at the local and state levels.

Christine is the daughter of a public school teacher and manufacturing plant manager. After graduating from college, Christine joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and served as a community organizer working with low-income women and their families. Christine earned her Masters of Public Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and her Bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester.

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Nicholas A. Lanzilli

1. Why did you decide to run for this office?

I want to be part of the social, educational and financial responsibility the job requires. Recognizing the large, working, middle class families that make up this district and with whom I grew up with, and having no specific agenda but to listen, hear and represent the concerns which have been ignored by politicians is reason good enough for me to run.

While some people talk about getting involved, I want to act and be involved. We can do better and deserve better. I will be a leader that this District can call on and work diligently for on their behalf.

2. What would your priority be in your first term of office concerning Somerville?

I am not running on any particular agenda, but rather on the idea that common sense will direct my responsibility. I plan to be a responsible supporter of our children’s education and act accordingly. I shall investigate recent talks surrounding a new high school or renovating the old one and what financial needs may be required. I plan to work and support getting more funding for our public sector workers so that they have the necessary tools and equipment to keep Somerville safe. I shall investigate work necessary to fix our infrastructure as required or requested.

3. Do you support the Green Line Extension? Please explain why.

I have been an advocate for the Green Line extension finally coming to the Somerville, College Avenue location being part of the original, Big Dig, mitigation requirement.

That being said, the further proposed Green Line expansion from College Avenue to the Medford, Route 16 Mystic Valley Parkway location needs to address concerns of all residences and businesses to be affected

While campaigning and walking and talking with my neighbors and businesses to be affected by this possible expansion, I hear their concerns. As their representative, I shall advocate ensuring their issues and concerns are addressed, resolved and mitigated responsibly.

4. Are you for the repeal of the Gas Tax Law, presently Question 1 on the ballot?

The taxpaying people of the entire Commonwealth are hard working people who deserve to have leaders who represent them with common sense, intelligence and responsibly.

I would not abdicate my legislative responsibility by hiding behind a proposed tax law (allegedly long overdue) not requiring my vote ever to change it. As such, I am against attaching the gas tax to the rate of inflation. Compounding this gas tax law with the proposed 36% National Grid electric rate increase scheduled for this winter are additional financial burdens challenging taxpayers everyday struggle to meet their debt obligations and for some to survive.

5. What do you think of one party rule in Massachusetts?

My involvement in this race is not about a one party rule or not but rather electing an individual, such as myself, that realizes the extreme positioning of both Democrats and Republicans serves no purpose but to cause great discord.

This being the outset of my political career and wanting to engage in the greatest amount of exposure as to why I am running, I decided to run as an un-enrolled candidate. To achieve my goal for this election has demanded community support, political expenditures and family and friends commitments that has come at a high value of success.

Bio/statement:

Hello,

I am Nicholas Lanzilli, a candidate for the office of State Representative for the 34th Middlesex District. I am a lifetime Medford resident, a Medford High School graduate and a college graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. I work as an associate construction consultant.

For those of you who have yet to hear about me or meet me, let me tell you why I am seeking your support to be your new state representative.

While I do appreciate that both Medford and Somerville are dynamic communities that honor its history by wanting to build upon its’ life of economic and educational building blocks, I want to have the opportunity to be part of how our cities’ futures can best promote the greatest benefit for its citizens.

To do this, we need to employ realistic, common sense decisions for our state and city’s social and financial, issue, solving ability.

Major campaign issues of mine have been: (a) supporting the Green Line Extension to Rt. 16 in Medford upon resolution of community impact issues, (2) public school education programs and ensuring that our kids have the opportunity to a great education (3) effective drug programs for drug abuse (4) And protecting and supporting our seniors and retirees.

I ask you to keep an open mind as I listen to your concerns and you to my positions. I welcome this opportunity in presenting myself and my platform to be your new State Representative of the 34th Middlesex District

Thank you.