34 South Main St., Attleboro, MA - Directions - (508) 222-7000
cars | jobs | place an ad | subscribe
Home News Sports Features classifieds milestones services photos tvlistings cars jobs realestate subscribe
Columns

GUEST COLUMN: Put Ward 1 back on right track
BY JOE LAZZERINI
Tuesday, October 20, 2009 2:20 AM EDT




Top Headlines
The more things change, the more they stay the same

Voices: 'Prodigal Son' offers us lessons

GUEST COLUMN: School days: Today it's quantity vs. quality

GUEST COLUMN: It's time for the US to end the war on drugs

KIRBY: Still the faithful?

Print this story
Photo Reprints
RSS
Forums
 AddThis
I am running for Ward 1 city councilor. Nineteen months ago I announced my decision to run for a seat on the Attleboro City Council, and I did so because I want to give the people of Ward 1 a fully engaged advocate on the city council who will listen to them and every resident's concerns and act thoughtfully and decisively.

I have only made one promise during this campaign, and that is to be an active, honest and open responsive city councilor who will constantly be fighting for the people of this community. I know what the people in this community need; I have been a part of it for most of my life.

I was born in Attleboro, attended the public schools here, and I am currently dually enrolled as a student at Bristol Community College's Attleboro campus.

I am involved in the community as a committee member of the Attleboro Energy Fund, which raises money to help people with heating and utility costs during the colder months. This winter is going to be hard for many members of the Ward 1 community and I will be working as part of the AEF to help those families in need.

Attleboro is facing many challenges and I believe I am the best candidate to fight for the people of Ward 1. I have worked hard these last few years to make South Attleboro a better place for all of us by planning annual community cleanups with the Attleboro Recreation Department and the Health Department. I will continue this tradition of planning annual community cleanups if I am elected to the city council. There is other work that needs to be done, and as Ward 1's next city councilor I will be a fierce advocate.

I will be fighting for Ward 1 to get our fair share of Chapter 90 funds to help repair our roads, rebuild our bridges and build sidewalks where they are needed.

Public safety will be a top priority and I am going to fight to restore the South Attleboro rescue at full-time status as soon as funding becomes available and when we pull out of this economic recession.

The ambulance is currently operating on a split shift, and I believe that is not enough. When someone is in need of emergency services, it is essential that those services are available immediately, and for this reason I want to see Rescue II running full-time.

As a councilor I will work to make Attleboro a more business friendly community, and will work with prospective business owners interested in opening new business in Attleboro and South Attleboro.

Our community is so important to me, and I believe my commitment to the community of South Attleboro makes me the best choice for this seat.

If elected, I plan to have monthly neighborhood meetings so that every Ward 1 resident has the opportunity to to come talk with me and engage in a community dialogue about the issues that are important to them.

I am a private in the United States Army Reserves, and the military trains you to lead and has trained me to be a problem solver and about the importance of service.

I am ready to lead this community and serve as a city councilor for Ward 1, to fight for the issues the residents of Ward 1 care about.

I believe we have an opportunity to move South Attleboro ahead. I am asking you to "Go For Joe Lazzerini" on Nov. 3, to vote to put our ward back in the right direction.

JOSEPH LAZZERINI is a candidate for Ward 1 councilman. He can be reached 508-409-9152. Our deadline for accepting guest columns from candidates in the Nov. 3 elections is 5 p.m. Oct. 20.
Return to Previous Page  


 


*Member ID:
*Password:
  Forgot Your Password?
 
View Comments » 20 comment(s) « Hide Comments

Post Your Comments

notower wrote on Oct 22, 2009 4:34 PM:

" I have met with Felos and with Lazzerini. Felos did not show any stance on any issue that I could determine. Why can't she support the neighbors who do not want a cell tower? She made comments about the residents choosing to live by high-voltage wires, then complaining about a cell tower. How does supporting her neighbors in rejecting a cell tower hurt her campaign? She can collect all the facts she wants on the logistics, bottom line is that the neighbors dont want it. Show some support for the people who you want to elect you. "

Report Abuse

VladsBack!! wrote on Oct 20, 2009 10:40 AM:

" I bet he can spell "school" though. "

Report Abuse

attlebororesident2008 wrote on Oct 19, 2009 9:38 PM:

" joe lazzerini has community experience who knows the issues facing south attleboro. "

Report Abuse

007 wrote on Oct 19, 2009 1:10 PM:

" Neither does a senior in High Scool who doesn't have his Diploma yet. "

Report Abuse

attlebororesident2008 wrote on Oct 19, 2009 1:04 PM:

" Cherie Felos has no ideas...and what experience does she bring to the table. Just because she has a law degree and has 5 kids that makes her qualified to be on the City Council. I don't think so. "

Report Abuse

RICKYL1024 wrote on Oct 19, 2009 12:54 PM:

" I will go on record as saying that I am the Campaign Manager for Cherie Felos's campaign, and she is definately not a teabager. She is woman who is concerned with the future of Ward 1. If she is fortunate enough to be elected by the voters in Ward 1, Cherie will listen to the constituents in her Ward regarding whatever issues may arise, and she a person who will weigh all of her options before voting on an issue,and this is the sign of a good ward councilor. Ward 1 will be blessed to have her, and so my message to the voters in Ward 1 Vote for Cherie because the council, and Ward 1 need her experience, and ideas, especially in our current fiscally hard times. "

Report Abuse

ps911fan wrote on Oct 19, 2009 8:46 AM:

" Felos is a teabagger.....and should not be elected to this position. While I do not know Lazzerini, I understand his work helping the people of S. Attleboro work on the cell phone tower is a good example of what we need rather than a teabagger who simply hates all she cannot agree with and besides attleboro city has no stake on gay marriage so its not relevant.

Anna D needs to stay out of Attleboro elections if she is not a voter here. Her opinion is worthless anyway. "

Report Abuse

attlebororesident2008 wrote on Oct 19, 2009 2:11 AM:

" Anna D. of course you don't support Joe..you donated to his opponents campaign. And did you really read that article...she wrote. It was against gay marriage. But my point is there are more issues we are facing then healthcare and gay marriage. We are facing important issues and we need a councilor who is willing to work on those issues. Leave party out of it, this is a non-partisan race. "

Report Abuse

Anna D wrote on Oct 18, 2009 2:18 PM:

" Why does this already old column keep being bumped up to the top of the list of columns? Could it be that the Sun Chronicle is showing its political bias (Democrat-leaning)? If this were any other column, it would be between the Hand and Kessler columns by now and something new would be at the top. By the way, I thank Joe for his military service, but although I do not vote in Attleboro, I also have to question his qualifications for the position, not because of age but because of experience, compared with his opponent, who has run a business and a home, raised a family and completed law school.

And attlebororesident2008, as to your comment that she trashed Joe in your presence by saying he was gay, I'm inclined to not believe you at all on this, given the very thoughtful and loving guest essay she wrote about her lesbian mother some months back. Why would you impugn somebody like that when the written evidence out there disputes your statement? "

Report Abuse

attlebororesident2008 wrote on Oct 17, 2009 12:32 AM:

" Talking about maturity. "Little Boy Joe," what your saying isn't all that mature. Cherie dosent care about Ward 1 - she cares about denying people access to health care and taking about peoples right to marry whom they want. When she knocked on my door she could no offer any substance on Ward 1 issues. Joe listens to all three sides of an issue and he will listen to the people of South Attleboro. "

Report Abuse

VladsBack!! wrote on Oct 16, 2009 10:17 AM:

" Little Boy Joe. My, my 007, you've certainly shown your nastiness here. Is Scott Brown aware of this? I'm sure he would just say no to your rant (yeah right).

Great campaign slogan though! "

Report Abuse

007 wrote on Oct 16, 2009 9:35 AM:

" To attlebororesident2008: So I guess you would rather have an inexperienced, high school kid who doesn't have his diploma, and is not mature enough, and hasn't even worked a real job representing Ward 1? If that is the kind of representation that you want then that is your right. It appears from my view of Mr. Lazzerini's opponent, Cherie Felos, that she is a person who is a critical decision maker and weighs all of her options before supporting or not supporting an issue, she also has a law degree, and has experience dealing budgets, and she has mature life experience, and I can't say the same for little boy Joe Lazzerini, although, I respect him for joining the Army Reserves, and I think that experience will serve him well. Timing is everything in politics, and right now is not the time to vote in a high school kid to the City Council. The City Council needs experienced, and mature adults. Little boy Joe would be a perfect fit for the student council! "

Report Abuse

attlebororesident2008 wrote on Oct 15, 2009 5:29 PM:

" With all do respect....I haven't seen Bill Bowles endorsing any candidate and Ellen Parker? Who the hell is that? I don't see any of these names even remotely listed on his website. Obviously this race has become partisan...because Cheri Felos is out there running as a republican in this race thats not about party. She has had people out there endorsing her candidacy when this race is about South Attleboro. Now, I live in the ward and she knocked on my door and had nothing good to say about Mr. Lazzerini. She trashed him...said he was gay...said he was too young...she also went to the extent to say he was getting deployed in January. With all do respect I don't want to hear about the negatives in this race. I want to hear about what the candidates can offer. Joe has proven that he is the best candidate in this race. When I told him what Cherie said he said ok, and started tackling Ward 1 and city wide issues. Who's the better candidate...a trash talker or a young and mature service member. "

Report Abuse

VladsBack!! wrote on Oct 15, 2009 4:53 PM:

" 007 - Look, I don't even live in Ward 1 so I don't want to go too far down this road. My comments were based solely on what I have seen in the paper. I have seen Ms Felos' editorials where she talks about a wide range of subjects, none particularly relevant to a city council seat. Bowles does support Lazzerini, fair enough, but Lazzerini has been smart about the cell tower issue and smart about not engaging in Felos' far-flung topics. Besides, I disagree with everything Felos claims to be for, so I don't pretend to be impartial. If you have more or better information, so be it. "

Report Abuse

007 wrote on Oct 15, 2009 3:33 PM:

" To VladsBack!! Your comments aren't entirely true. For example,Mr. Lazzerini,who has wined, and complained about the race being partisan, is in fact being partisan himself, by gaining the support of people such as State Rep. Bill Bowles,and Ellen Parker,and other Democrats. Here's another fact to consider, it is Ms. Felos who has support from folks outside of her party affiliations, and she is a person who is concerned about the future of Ward 1. In contrast, Mr. Lazzerini would be well suited for a seat on the student council at this time,but definately, not the City Council. "

Report Abuse

VladsBack!! wrote on Oct 15, 2009 3:04 PM:

" Don't know about that 007. He seems to have his ear to the ground as to what Ward 1 is about while she is ingratiating herself with the Mass GOP by showing what a deep thinker she is on all topics under the sun except Ward 1. No, I say vote for Lazzerini if you want good representation. "

Report Abuse

007 wrote on Oct 15, 2009 2:14 PM:

" Being in the Army Reserves, and being active in local politics is a good thing; however, when it comes to city budgets, and legal issues as well as making important decisions that will affect Attleboro's present and future,having a person with mature life experience is what is needed, and young Mr.Lazzerini's oponent, Cherie Felos is the best candidate to represent Ward 1 on the City Council. "

Report Abuse

attlebororesident2008 wrote on Oct 15, 2009 11:39 AM:

" At first I questioned Joe's age when he was running but then I had to think. Does age determine how effective you can be as a City Councilor? Does age determine how you vote. I think that if he can be in the Army and join at 17...he can be 18 and serve on our City Council. I think he is the best candidate. "

Report Abuse

VladsBack!! wrote on Oct 15, 2009 10:51 AM:

" But not too young to serve in the Army Reserves. He sounds like a natural for organizing and representing his district. He hasn't made a statement of his views on health care reform, gay marriage nor has he argued his candidacy on the basis of experience v. youth like his opponent has. He seems to understand that he is running for Ward 1 councilor and as such, has no sycophantic yearnings to gain favor with the republican party.
I think he is the best candidate. "

Report Abuse

007 wrote on Oct 15, 2009 10:15 AM:

" The main issue that Joe Lazzerini fails to mention is that he's still in high school and he hasn't earned his diploma yet. He's just too young to be on the City Council representing Ward 1. "

Report Abuse