Gammill Sends Congrats to Winner Rogers After State Rep Election

"I will always treasure the memories of this campaign."

The votes are in, and the voters are sending Dave Rogers to Beacon Hill. Congratulations, Dave, on a race well run. I would like to thank the tremendous support that so many of you have given to me and to my open, innovative campaign. You have lifted me in so many ways over the course of the last five months. I will always treasure the memories of this campaign. And congratulations to Tomi Olson, Margaret Hegarty, and Bobby Reardon for running fine races as well. I have a new appreciation for what it takes to put one's name on a ballot, and each of these competitors deserves the thanks and respect of the voters of Middlesex's 24th district. Jim Gammill Independent Candidate, 24th Middlesex House District

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Vote for Gammill a Protest Against Dysfunctional Party System

"[D]o I want a representative who has lived here for 26 years, raised a family here and whose daughter teaches in the Belmont public schools, or a North Cambridge resident who first walked Belmont’s streets six months ago?"

I am a lifelong centrist Democrat, who served in Bill Clinton’s administration as Assistant Secretary of Defense, a 44-year resident of Belmont, and I am supporting Jim Gammill – the independent – for state representative. Here are the issues that led me to that decision: A voice for Belmont. As my colleagues at the Kennedy School’s Taubman Center for State and Local Government have helped me understand, Belmont is a unique but vulnerable community. It ranks in the top 20 in almost every important measure of the quality of civic life. Its schools are excellent, its streets are safe and its core services (apart from roads) are excellent. But it also has a per capita income far below the communities to which it is compared (Wellesley, Weston…

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Race for State Rep, 2012

The State Rep Candidates Make Their Closing Arguments

Jim Gammill, Tomi Olson and Dave Rogers' final appeals to the voters of the "ABC" District.

Jim Gammill, Independent Open Innovative Government  I am running as your neighbor. For 26 years I lived in the district, raising a family and enjoying all the benefits that come with calling Belmont and Arlington my home.  For about ten thousand days you've seen me on the bus, on the bike paths, at the playgrounds, coaching sports teams, organizing outreach activities, and also just hanging out. I know this district first hand. I bring thirty-five years of professional experience to this race. As someone with a long track record of original ideas, I will make unique contributions to the legislative process. But the most powerful thing I'll bring to this job is your mandate and authority.  By electing me over the two party candidates, you …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Gammill is the Independent Local Voice

"He will approach work on Beacon Hill ... doing what’s best for our district and the state, no matter what party politics are at play."

On Nov. 6, I will be voting for Belmont's Jim Gammill, Independent for State Representative. Although I have pulled the Democratic lever for years, I am confident that Jim is the right choice. Jim has a local perspective, having lived in Belmont for almost thirty years. He raised his family alongside mine and I know he will prioritize the school system and the local aid needed to improve Belmont and the district as a whole. Most of all, Jim is a hard worker. Over the years he has proven his abilities as a faculty member at both Harvard and MIT and as a nonprofit leader. He has been successful because of his approach to challenges: Jim is rational, collaborative and thoughtful. He will approach work on Beacon Hill with this same framework, …

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State Rep Hopefuls Claim Independent Mantel at Forum

Final face-to-face meeting between three seeking the "ABC" district has one candidate believes the race is down to two; others disagree.

In the long-running game show "To Tell the Truth," three contestants would identify themselves as the same person with a peculiar experience and it was up to the panel of guest stars to correctly identify the player from the two impostors. In a similar vein, the voters in the 24th Middlesex House of Representatives District are being asked by the three candidates seeking to become their state representative to correctly ID the one who is the true independent in the race. At last night's forum sponsored by the Belmont League of Women Voters held in the Chenery Middle School auditorium, Dave Rogers, Jim Gammill and Tomi Olson each attempted to convince registered voters that once elected, they would not abandon them for outside interests or …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Resident Chronicles Her Support for Gammill

"He is running for office because of his deeply held belief that he can help Belmont and Massachusetts thrive in coming years."

As a longtime Belmont resident and someone who cares deeply about this town, I was thrilled when I heard that Jim Gammill was running for State Representative. Arlington and Cambridge have multiple State Representatives; Belmont has just one.  This is our chance to elect a man who knows and understands Belmont and wants only the best for our community. I cannot imagine a more qualified man for this job; Jim is smart, ethical, caring, and committed to Belmont. Our family met Jim when our children were in the same pre-school class and we’ve admired him ever since. Jim is one of the smartest people I have ever known; he is politically astute, hard working, with a terrific sense of humor. In these difficult financial times his impressive …

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Race for State Rep, 2012

State Rep. Candidates' Question: Which House Committees Do You Want Be A Member?

Part of a series of weekly questions to the candidates for the 24th Middlesex District race.

Each week for the remainder of the campaign, Belmont Patch will be providing a "Question of the Week" to the candidates for the House of Representative's 24th Middlesex District – Jim Gammill, Tomi Olson and Dave Rogers – that will run until the week before the election. This week's question is where the candidates would like to focus their service in the House and why. Question If elected, what would be your first two choices for committees assignments in the state House of Representatives and why? Jim Gammil, Independent Every newly elected member looks forward to sitting down with the Speaker to discuss committee assignments, and I will be no different.  Fortunately, I already know Democratic Majority Whip Rep. Byron Rushing, having …

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Race for State Rep, 2012

State Rep. Candidates Debate Live at 6 P.M. Today

Hour-long debate will be broadcast on Channel 8, Comcast and Channel 28 on Verizon.

This evening, most residents of Belmont, Arlington and Cambridge will get a chance to learn where the three candidates for the 24th Middlesex District stand on the issues as Belmont Patch and the Belmont Media Center host a live debate among those seeking to replace current State Sen. Will Brownsberger in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Hour-long debate, which is taking place at a studio in the Belmont Media Center, will be broadcast on Channel 8 for Comcast viewers and Channel 28 for Verizon customers. Democrat Dave Rogers, Republican Tomi Olson and Independent Jim Gammill will be answering questions posed by former Belmont Selectman Anne Marie Mahoney and Belmont Patch editor Franklin Tucker. The format will include opening …

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Race for State Rep, 2012

State Representative Candidates to Debate Tomorrow at 6 PM

Those seeking to succeed Will Brownsberger will met at the Belmont Media Center.

Warm up for the Vice Presidential debate between Paul Ryan and Joe Biden by tuning in to the Belmont Media Center – Channels 8 and 9 on Comcast cable and Channels 28 and 29 on Verizon – at 6 p.m. tomorrow for a live debate between the candidates who are seeking to replace former State Rep. Will Brownsberger who won election in January to become a state senator. The Belmont Media Center and Belmont Patch is hosting the debate between Democrat Dave Rogers, Republican Tomi Olson and Independent Jim Gammill who are running to represent the 24th Middlesex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives which includes several precincts in Arlington, two in Cambridge and Belmont. Belmont Patch Editor Franklin Tucker and former Board of …

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