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Government needs a constant infusion of new ideas |
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Written by Raimundo Degado
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Thursday, 11 September 2008 |
Mr. Delgado, a New Bedford High School and Twilight School teacher, is running for the state senate for the third time
NEW BEDFORD, MA - Voters should always have a choice when they go to the polls. I am a Democratic candidate for the Massachusetts state senate in the Second Bristol, Plymouth district covering New Bedford, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Acushnet and Mattapoiset.
I join Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said: “If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream.”
I am extremely concerned about public safety, education, economic development and the quality of life of the people of our district.
On the public safety issue the state must provide more speed enforcement of Route 18 to prevent further fatalities and injuries on that highway which cuts through the heart of New Bedford.
Education reform must be an on going process across the commonwealth involving everyone. We have not had education reform for 14 years. I join with Mayor Scott W, Lang and others for the removal of MCAS as a graduation requirement.
The 1994 Education Reform Act was the last education reform we had. Some of those reforms like the MCAS need to be revisited. They have caused much pain to students at the bottom of the socio-economic strata. We need to implement a two tier MCAS test just like the New York state model.
Our focus should be on reducing class size to a manageable level, providing students with all their necessary tools to succeed.
In many countries students are learning foreign languages in the kindergarten. We should implement this practice in Massachusetts. It is the only way our students will become truly bi-lingual or multi-lingual.
Continued efforts must be made to make sure Downtown New Bedford is developed with tourism, the arts and higher education in mind.
We must protect the fishing industry at all costs and we should foster a positive climate that attracts tourism to our historic district.
It is imperative that we have a strong turn out on September 16 when most of the elections will be determined. If we allow the status quo to continue, we are saying the few chosen by local political machines can represent us for a lifetime. Government needs a constant infusion of new ideas from new candidates.
Elected office should not be a lifetime career but an opportunity for the common citizen to make a positive contribution to the people and return to private life. Every election should be contested for the public good. Debates must be held in order to foster ideas that eventually become law. The public interest is the only reason candidates should aspire for public office.
I have spent 30 years serving as an educator, and being a publicly involved citizen in community organizations, and the media. I believe we all deserve a change to demonstrate our commitment to change and desire to serve. I want to be your voice in the Massachusetts state senate . I will listen to you and will be accessible. I am willing to take a pay cut to serve our community on Beacon Hill.
I believe it is important to play a role in shaping the future legislation of our great Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Raimundo Delgado
New Bedford, MA.
Candidate State Senate
Second Bristol, Plymouth DistrictOnly registered users can write comments.
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