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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Letter to the Editor: Former Resident Lends Olson His Support

"Her thoughts on the MBTA, pensions, health care, Belmont Uplands, educational issues and elder affairs are ones I agree with her on."

Though I no longer live in Belmont, I grew up there and we raised our family there. I lived in the town for over 55 years and got to know it quite well. I believe in getting involved in your community and offering support where ever you can. I coached youth sports for over 10 years. I was then fortunate to serve on the Warrant Committee for four years. During this time, I was asked to chair the financial task force. Next I was able to serve as a selectman for six years. Finally was the great opportunity to chair the senior center site committee. The McLean project brought out the best in how a community can work together with strong differences and still bring about a successful compromise. During this time I got to know many great …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Olson Focused on Practical Solutions

"With well-grounded, diverse, thoughtful experience and expertise, Olson offers practical uncomplicated solutions that will preserve our wonderful community."

To the editor: I am writing to urge everyone to vote for the Tomi Olson for State Representative on Nov. 6. The only female candidate, Olson selflessly contributes to the betterment of the community and uniquely possess a broad basis of education and experience to utilize while representing us. Olson is a wonderfully practical, open-minded and personable candidate who prioritizes the needs of the community over her own personal agenda. She comprehends the concept that our State Representatives work to serve the people. Olson will equally utilize her time listening and eliciting our feedback, while designing thoughtful practical solutions. We do not need another politician in office that entices confidence in us with statistical reports or …

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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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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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The Candidate's Question of the Week

State Rep. Candidates' Question: Maintaining MBTA Services

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 on Tuesday mornings. Below is the question and the candidates' answers. Question The MBTA's Interim General Manager Jonathan Davis said while the authority will attempt to keep the level of service at current levels, he made it clear that revenue from all sources – riders and the legislature – must be increased for this this to happen. As the state representative from three communities that rely on mass transportation, would you be willing to ask 24th Middlesex District taxpayers to pay more through a tax …

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Race for State Rep, 2012

State Rep. Candidates' Question: Solving the Most Heard Local Concerns

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 on Tuesday mornings. Below is the question and the candidates' answers. Dave Rogers, Democrat As I've walked across the district, listening to neighbors and hearing their concerns, I've enjoyed discussions covering a diverse range of topics. While countless issues come up, two issues surface more than any others: education and transportation.  Education is any advanced society's most critical investment, particularly now in an ever more competitive and inter-connected world. Belmont draws residents in with …

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