This is a major reason not to vote for Rogers. This doesn't show a commitment to public education, it just shows he will be a rubber stamp for an out of control union that puts the interests of its members ahead of those of the children. As part of this endorsement Rogers had to fill out an questionnaire from the union. Will he make that public so we can see what he promised them?

I adore Dave Rodgers. He's lived an incredible life and crawled out of hardships none of us could imagine. Now he's fighting to make sure children get a fair shot at a solid education. No matter how you try to pick it apart or twist that, it can't be turned into a bad thing! THANKS DAVE! YOU HAVE MY VOTE AND I'LL CARRY THE TORCH FOR YOU HERE IN BELMONT!!!!

This endorsement proves he is going to fight for the union. That puts him at odds with what is good for the children. I believe our education system should put our children first. The Boston Teacher's Union has a long and sad history of blocking reforms that would greatly improve the chances for the children of Boston to get that fair shot at a solid education. That school system is a disgrace and the main reason is the BTU.

Will Rogers make his BTU questionnaire public?

Why don't you learn more about Dave Rodgers before attacking him? Take a look at what he's lived through, what's he's done with his life, and then if you can find a way to hurl your anger at him, make it rational. Don't hate him because others endorse him and you like another candidate. Open your mind and try learn about him first then say something that has real consequence to convince us of your opinion - otherwise, it's just hot air.

Interesting response. Because you disagree with me I am now hurling anger. If you chose to just insult me that is your right; however, I firmly believe the candidates should have to answer to the voters. Will you join me in asking that not only Rogers but all the candidates make their answers to the questionnaire public? I didn't know it had become hateful to believe candidates should give us answers. By the way, I am not backing anyone in this race at this time. I am looking at all the players and will make an informed decision. One thing I am very familiar with though is the Boston Teachers Union. They are the biggest roadblock to improving our children's education. Very few Boston school teachers send there children to the Boston schools. Would you?

Why don't you meet with him and ask him in person. Send him an email and he'll show up. Tell him you dislike the Teacher's Union and this is a big issue for you, and let him address that. Then see if there's anything else that you care about that he may reach you on. Perhaps not. Perhaps unions are your biggest and onlyissue, but you might find other areas where you agree. All I'm saying is open your mind and give it a shot.

Why would anyone be proud to carry any union's water. Here is a clear example of why not to vote for this guy. Unions have long been self-serving. The BTU fights for the retainage of incompitant and bad teachers who should not even be in front of a class room. Some teachers would be fired if they worked for a private company. So if Rogers is being backed by the BTU my vote is going elsewhere. Union dues getting shoveled back into pockets of the politicians who side with the unions and their bargins. No thanks.

Anne, It appears you already have your mind made up and will not be giving any of the other candidates a shot at your support. It's odd that you would now lecture me who is open to giving everyone a listen to. Dave Rogers made the Boston Teacher;s Union a big issue in his campaign by seeking, accepting, and then touting their support. Since he has thrown it out there he should defend it and explain himself. You never did answer my question about having the candidates make public their answers to the questions. This is important for the voters to have in order to make an informed decision.
Also, if you are representative of the mind set of Roger's supporters I don't think he will be running a very positive campaign. To label those who disagree with you as haters is nasty stuff and I will not tolerate that in any candidate regardless of their other views.

Good for Dave Rogers! He's a fine candidate and clearly the best of the lot. If you're interested in finding out more about Dave and the other candidates for State Rep you can start by watching the videos of the Belmont Candidates' Nights (D & R) on the Belmont Media Center site: http://www.belmontmedia.org/watch/govt-ed-access/campaign-2012.

"WS": your opinion might carry a little more weight if you (1) were able to provide actual facts to back it up rather than the same old inaccurate anti-union stereotypes, and (2) were willing to stand behind it by using your actual name. Otherwise it just sounds like the same partisan tripe so many of us are tired of. Yes, I am supporting Dave Rogers in this election, but not because of one endorsement. I'm supporting him because he is smart, has relevant experience, and knows how to solve real-world problems.

Johanna, I am not with any group in this election or in the town of Belmont. I loved in Boston for years and experienced first hand the retaliation unions hand out when you go public against them, I have had my business vandalized and my life threatened by them.
All I have asked for here is that Dave Rogers make public his answers on the BTU questionnaire. I am also asking the same of all the candidates. Again, Dave has pursued this endorsement and is proud of it. I think the voters have a right to know what he has told the BTU in order to get this.
Why are you all so angry at me for just asking for this. I have no axe to grind with Rogers and will hold all the candidates to the same standard. You should do the same and stop being so partisan.
It would also be nice if you all would control your angry. I am a concerned voter looking for as much information as possible before making an informed decision. If you believe in your candidate so much why are you not willing for him to be forthright? I'm sorry this makes you tired, but it goes with living in a democracy.

I just left Mr Rogers a message and told him that if there is a questionairre that was filled out for the union endorsement that you would like to review it. Please call him to schedule some time where you can sit down, go over it, and ask him to elaborate on any of the answers he gave that concern you.
Of course I'm saying this assuming there is some sort of questionairre the candidates filled out in order to get consideration from the union based on your inquisition above, but I don't know if there is one.
Also just want to interject, to those who think unions are bad, that those that entered the twin towers to save lives only to lose their own were union workers. I tend to hold those men and women in my heart as heros - but again, that's my opinion...and I'd be proud to "carry their water" any day of the week.

Anne, It is despicable how low you will sink. You are now trying to twist what I said into an attack on those who died on 9/11. Have you no decency?

I can't see how Anne's pointing out that 9/11 rescuers were union members could in any way be construed as suggesting that WS has attacked 9/11 rescuers. That's just silly. Anne has pointed out that unions have helped to develop and support professions that are profoundly valuable to our republic. I can never quite decide which is more offensive: those who make ad hominem arguments or those who paint themselves to be victims of such arguments, whether or not it is actually the case, as a way of tarring those they disagree with. It often seems to me that playing the victim is more craven and devious. But I'm not fond of either rhetorical maneuver.

It was actually a reponse to Raymonds comment "Why would anyone be proud to carry any union's water," hence the reference to union workers who are, again in my opinion, worth the water. Apparently you took my comment out of context and applied it to yourself WS.

Okay, it's become silly time on here. A comment about Roger's touting his support from the BTU as turned into a silly shouting match with accusations of hate and disrespect for those who died on 9/11. This is followed up with some armchair psycho analysis. Not much healthy debate here.
I will try once again. Why would a candidate be proud of support form a group that represents teachers in a school system that no parent in Belmont would ever think of letting their child attend? Do you aspire to have the Belmont schools sink to level of Boston's? And why is it hateful to ask that the candidates make their answers to the BTU questionnaire public?
If Anne and Johanna are representative of the Roger's campaign it is apparent Mr. Rogers will not represent all of us. Don't even think of questioning him. Just blindly follow.
I will be looking to vote for a candidate who believes in transparency. I don't have to agree with all positions, but I do want to know where they stand and what they have promised in exchange for the support they receive from special interest groups such as the BTU.
And for those of you who think the BTU is doing such a great job, Boston is not very far away, you might consider moving there so you can take advantage of the educational system.

Boston and Belmont are worlds away when it comes to the public schools. Schools are small microcosms of society. The socio economic problems that people face in Boston come into the schools. Instead of battering the teachers from an armchair, I suggest that you volunteer in a Boston Public School. That way you will see and experience firsthand the enormous task that teachers are presented with in that environment on a daily basis. Yes, I am a teacher, and while I never taught in Boston, I did teach in another inner city setting. The task of educating students who didn't come to school ready to learn because of factors out of their control is and was daunting.
Sadly, some people are quick to blame the unions as evil, self serving entities that take from the public. It needs to be pointed out that if it weren't for unions there would be no middle class in this country. I am proud to announce that I am a union member and I care about education and the students I teach. Additionally, when anyone is in trouble they call union members as was pointed out in an earlier post.

WS, any question about a candidate's positions and commitments is valid. What I don't get is why you are wasting keystrokes asking it here--and then questioning every other poster's motives and intelligence--when you could easily contact the candidate directly and ask him yourself. You can find his phone number, email address and mailing address at www.http://rogers4rep.com. There's a great deal of information about his background and positions there. Margaret Hegarty's rather minimalist website is www.margarethegarty.com. I haven't had much luck finding the other Dem candidates' sites. If anyone has found them, I would be grateful for the urls.

David, I have never questioned anyone's motives or intelligence on here. I was just responding to a story with legitimate questions. It didn't take long before I was attacked by Roger's supporters. The issue about the questionnaires is a one I have always been concerned with as politicians on all parts of the spectrum use these endorsements to promote their campaign and the public never gets to see how this process works. I have seen what goes on behind the scenes and believe it is important that there is transparency. I can see why people would disagree with me over the union issues, but I can't fathom why they are angry about my wanting full disclosure from all of the candidates.

JKG: Before telling me what you believe I don't know maybe you should know that I have volunteered in the Boston Schools. I also spent twelve years in the system as a student. I would hazard a guess that I have much more on site time in those schools then you do.
I also am not against all unions and I do understand the good they have done over the years. It is the public employee unions that have gotten out of hand with the early retirement deals and gold plated benefit packages that have been bestowed upon them by politicians in exchange for support. From Central Falls, RL to Stockton, CA towns are declaring bankruptcy because they cannot afford to pay people these over the top deals. Up until recently MBTA employees were able to retire after just 23 year of service and immediately begin receiving a pension that is 80% of their highest four years salary, plus full medical for life along with cost of living increases. This is simply unsustainable. People in the private sector are working longer and longer and now have to sustain this sector of people in their early retirements. Two Americas truly does exist. Oh, by, the way. Paul Cellucci gave the MBTA union everything they asked for in exchange for their support, so you can see this is bipartisan corruption.

Certainly, if you did spend time volunteering in Boston schools then you experienced first hand the daunting task that teachers face on a daily basis when working in that environment. Yes, you probably have more "on site time" in Boston, but I taught in economically depressed/ inner city schools for more than 10 years. In these schools the teachers are battling elements out of their control. The buildings are often neglected with some even unsafe. Children come into school with many problems due to socio economic uncertainties. The lack of support for teachers in that environment makes the task even more daunting. Teachers often use their own funds to support the educational initiatives in classrooms. (In one school where I worked I had to buy paper for the students!) People who work in the public sector dedicate years of service to help to make society safe and educated. What escapes my understanding is that if public sector jobs with "early retirement deals and gold plated benefit packages" are so lucrative, why didn't you choose public sector employment? I'd venture to say that public sector jobs don't offer the other compensations that private sector jobs offer, and they don't offer something else-RESPECT! Yes, there are powers trying to make just two Americas-the haves and have nots. Unions made the middle class.
I know nothing about Mr. Rogers, but I do have to say if he proudly advertises that the Boston Teachers Union supports him then I could support him.