While it is true that here are many similarities in our positions: choice, the rights for all couples to marry and fully share their lives, the need for better school funding, I felt that there were major differences between the other candidates and myself.
One, I believe that the SMOC lawsuit is a deep insult to Framingham, which unlike most of its neighbors, has worked for inclusion and justice over the years. There are serious and far reaching issues here that will affect the town far into the future and we should NEVER back away from vigorously defending our principles and the people who have given so much time and effort to make Framingham a good place to live and raise a family.
This case is about Civil Rights, for free speech and for the right of every resident and homeowner to be free from the intimidation and bullying of a large corporation that doesn’t seem to recognize any rights but its own, that uses a vague and poorly written law as a weapon against dedicated and caring people trying to do the best for ALL residents. The Dover Amendment started out with good intentions but in the real world creates terrible consequences for towns like Framingham.
This lawsuit seems to be designed not only to intimidate people in their professional capacity but to threaten them personally- put their future, their homes, and livelihoods in jeopardy – why? For doing the job that we elected them to do, to look out for the interests of ALL Framingham residents.
Two, I have suggested several bold ideas that Framingham, with the help of the state legislature, could accomplish that would make a real difference in our lives.
- The Creation of a MetroWest Tourist Bureau which would collect local meals and room taxes and, instead of sending this money to Boston, would use these local taxes to energize the local economy- particularly in the “Creative Arts Economy” supported by Governor Patrick.
- Reuse the extensive network of railroad owned land that goes to all the surrounding communities to move people –with out their cars. A system like this could be low impact, share the route with walkers and bicycles, use non polluting fuels and be quicker than an automobile on our already congested roads. An added benefit to Framingham would be that the lines all come to downtown where they would connect to the commuter rail into Boston or to Worcester. (see C)
- Move the “CSX North Rail Yard” and develop the Farm pond waterfront (21 acres) into a benefit for the town instead of a barrier. Copley Square in Boston used to be a train yard and Harvard University is now closing the Allston yard because the land is too valuable to use for train storage. Well the land between the Town Hall and Farm Pond is valuable to Framingham. We can develop this area into businesses, restaurants; brownstone style housing and parkland around Farm Pond- giving Framingham back its waterfront. As an added benefit CSX could develop a modern “in line” yard further west (even in Framingham) which would allow it to finally sink the main tracks.
- Lastly, allow the Public Works and Engineering Departments to develop a “Framingham Power and Light Division”. Wellesley and Needham save money by buying wholesale electricity and Hull is using its department to generate power from alternate sources such as wind turbines. Some of the benefits of this might be the ability of residents to “trade back” any power that they generate with solar panels and turbines for electricity that they could use at night or in the winter. The town would be able to use its buying power to negotiate good prices from large scale generators and could economically put power and communication wires under the roads making them less vulnerable to storm damage and clear our streets of the wires and poles (allowing the trees to make a canopy over our roads again).
Three- I am the only candidate with a any real business experience. I’ve had hourly jobs- waiter, bartender, delivery driver, draftsman and professional jobs- departmental manager for some large architectural firms. I’ve also owned several businesses where I’ve paid payroll, healthcare costs, hire and unfortunately, lay people off. I‘ve worked as a team member and also as a team leader. I understand from a very basic level how important a good economy and a good job is and how it makes the difference between being able to barely survive or to really flourish. We can do better but we need the educational support and economic diversity to compete globally in the 21st century.
These are just a few concepts to make Framingham better economically, socially and environmentally. Keeping our town healthy and prosperous for our children and grandchildren will require imagination and determination. It will take standing up to special interests and naysayers; it will require boldness and it will be a team effort.
Chris Walsh, AIA , Candidate for State Representative
