Guest MINDSETTER™ Kate Toomey: Why I’m Running for State Representative

Monday, July 30, 2012

Guest MINDSETTER™ Kate Toomey:

It’s not often that the opportunity to run for an open seat for State Representative arises. The resignation of Representative Vincent Pedone leaves a void which must be filled. I’m excited to have an opportunity to fill that void.

My inspiration to serve the public comes from observing elected officials, including my late uncle, former Mayor and Councilor Joe Tinsley and the late Mayor of Boston, Kevin White. I have seen the positive effect they and others like them have had on people’s lives. It has been my distinct honor and privilege to do the same in my career thus far.

After I graduated from Regis College, I worked for Kevin White in the City of Boston; the Mayor’s Office of Marketing and Development and the Mayor’s Office of Housing. I taught in Boston Public Schools, and started towards my Masters in Public Administration.

Started with School Committee

Politics fell to the side as I married and then had three children. I became active in their School PTO committees and eventually was elected Co-Chair of CPPAC (City Wide Parent Planning Advisory Council). While in that position, Dr. Steve Mills announced that he was going to step down from the School Committee. It was suggested by Brian O’Connell that I run for that seat, and with my family’s support, I became the first person from the East Side of Worcester to be elected to the School Committee since John Doherty.

I loved advocating for our children, but during my third term on the School Committee I realized that the best way to improve education was to run for City Council and work to improve our City. Now, seven years into my service on the City Council I have the opportunity to serve the citizens of Worcester as a member of the Legislature.

Most Qualified Candidate

I know that I am the most qualified candidate to be the next State Representative for the 15th Worcester District. With my combined 13 years on the School Committee and City Council, I am by far the most experienced person in the race. During those 13 years I have become familiar with the diversity that is the 15th Worcester District. It encompasses a wide range of social, economic and ethnic diversity, potentially the most diverse district in the State. I have worked with a vast number of community groups, and understand their needs. I will be able to communicate those needs to the Legislature in Boston.

Without doubt the biggest need in the district is jobs! We need to continue the momentum we have with City Square, UMass Medical Center, Gateway Park, the Canal District and CSX. We must find tools for urban centers like Worcester to be able to provide incentives to retain and attract business. In addition we need to add sewers on Route 20 and open that corridor between the two Mass Pike exits for development. We must address the old manufacturing facilities across the district, clean them up and find ways to repurpose that land and potentially those buildings. I have the experience to lobby for the financial support needed to move these economic development projects forward.

Educated and Trained Workforce Needed

To be successful with these economic development projects we need to provide a well educated workforce ready to fill the wide range of jobs that these businesses will require. This will be accomplished by providing adequate funding for education. We also need to provide workforce training to those out of work so we can convert able bodied people from unemployed to employed. By doing this, we reduce the need for state assistance and create taxpayers who are contributing to the benefit of all.

We need to address the many issues we have with infrastructure throughout the City and District. I will continue to work to ensure that the Burns Bridge over Lake Quinsigamond is completed and done on time and under budget with as little disruption to neighbors and commuters as possible. We also need to address the sewer issues at lower Belmont Street and along Lake Avenue to ensure that sewerage no longer runs into the Lake. These are in addition to roads and bridges that need to be properly maintained.

Local Needs

At the same time we need a well trained police force that can ensure the safety of our citizens throughout the city, and a fire department that is equipped and trained to protect the city from fire.

I am committed to working with MASSPORT on bringing commercial airlines to Worcester Airport, expanding Worcester's position as a center of transportation.

We must also find a way to serve the medical needs of our community. We need to have 24 hour clinics that can provide services that are too often being provided at an Emergency room at too high a cost, while risking the safety of those with real emergencies. As part of this initiative we need to provide vouchers for transportation so people can take a $7.00 cab ride instead of a $1200.00 ambulance ride.

I ask the voters of the 15th Worcester District to cast their vote for me, Kate Toomey on Thursday, yes Thursday, September 6th. Remember, Experience Matters! And I HAVE the experience needed to do the job from day one!