On Tuesday, Sept. 9 incumbent State Representative Dan Ryan, of Charlestown will square off against challenger Roy Avellaneda, of Chelsea, for the Second Suffolk House District, which covers Charlestown and Chelsea.
This week the Independent Newspaper Group submitted a questionaire to both candidates on some of the major issues facing the neighborhood.
Here are their responses:
Chelsea Record (CR): Immigration issues are pretty much front and center in Chelsea and have been for a long time. However, the recent surge of immigrants over the last year from Central American countries – via the southern U.S. border – has posed quite a challenge to Chelsea schools and resources. As state representative, what do you believe you can do to assist with this new situation on the streets and in the schools, and should Chelsea have to bear this entire burden?
Rep. Dan Ryan (DR): Our national politics have failed us on the immigration issue. Until they get their act together down in Washington the task of taking care of these children falls on us. The state must find the resources to reimburse our cities and towns for these added expenses. We also have to find a way to get the Feds to pay for it. I didn’t fully understand the extent of how many children were coming into the U.S. and making their way to our neighborhoods until the processing piece brought it to a head.
My federal experience gave me a better understanding, at least from a policy level, of the request by the President to possibly process unaccompanied children in Massachusetts. I knew it would be a polarizing issue. I addressed it with my heart as much as my intellect. When I got the notice that the Governor was holding a press conference I made sure to be there. Looking back, I believe I may have been one of the only legislators in the room. I’ve learned from one of the best to take tough issues head on. I went to my desk and posted to Facebook my support for the Governor’s decision and the info sheets should anyone have questions. You can still read the responses. I know I probably lost some votes that day but if I turned one heart it was worth it.
My experience puts me in a great position to bring federal stakeholders into the conversation. They seemed to be an uninvited missing piece to the community meetings I went to since being elected.
CR: For more than a decade, there has been a push to give illegal immigrants in the state legal driver’s licenses. There are legitimate arguments on both sides of the issue. Now, it appears that the issue will surface again in the near future. What is your stance on allowing driver’s licenses for people who don’t are not legally documented in the U.S.?
DR: On one occasion during the first campaign I was asked by a reporter about this issue in Charlestown. He was told that I wouldn’t answer that question the same way in Charlestown as I would in Chelsea. I found that odd. Anyway, my response was, “Yes, I do believe they should be eligible for driver’s licenses. I also don’t believe it is an immigration issue. I believe it is a transportation issue and a road safety issue”. I was surprised as a legislator to find out that the bill in question was in the transportation committee. It makes sense when you think about it. I knew the issue well but not the legislative details. My instincts served me well.
My candid response also prompted the reporter to blog that, “Ryan is not afraid to address any issue. He is articulate and as knowledgeable on the issues as any candidate I have seen in the four Suffolk Specials”. I used his line in my literature.
One of the first meetings I had at the State House was with the Police Chiefs from around the state, with Chief Keyes being one of them. I was able to hear some of law enforcements concerns with the bill. I believe there are pieces that can be worked out. My feeling was that many in law enforcement are at least open to discussion going into the next legislative session.
CR: The streets in Chelsea, particularly Broadway and other thoroughfares, are in rough shape. Some areas even have cobblestone showing from generations ago. Money is tight, and the City has gotten to projects when it can. However, there isn’t enough to go around to take care of all the needs in a City where more and more cars travel the streets every year. What can you, as state rep., do to help City’s like Chelsea solve their street repair woes?
DR: The Feds aren’t paying for much these days. When I worked in Washington the one thing both parties could agree to spend money on was roads and bridges. Transportation appropriations were never a bone of contention. Whether you are a big businessman, a small farmer or a soccer mom just about everyone used to agree that you can’t build a bridge or pave a road without the government’s help. This lack of highway and transit money trickles down to municipalities bearing the brunt. We have increased local aid which may help a little.
One thing I caution about is Question 1 on the state ballot this November. The bill pertains to repealing the state gas tax indexed to inflation. In repealed it could cost the State billions in much needed road repair money spent in our cities and towns. My biggest fear is that an uninformed public will go to the voting both in November and feel good about voting against taxes. But, this is a tax that business, labor and every rational thinking person that knows the issue agrees upon. Vote “NO” on Question 1 if you want more money to fix your local streets and bridges.
CR: Chelsea is in dire need of a new middle school, and the Clark Avenue School is currently on the drawing board with state funding approval. However, once the fine print was read, things got a lot more expensive and state funding didn’t cover everything. Now Chelsea is in a predicament with surging costs on the new school. Do you have any ideas about how to ease the pain of this situation from the state level?
DR: I have met with Superintendent Burke and members of the school committee and am well aware of this issue with the funding formula. Senator DiDomedico, Rep Vincent and I can work with the incoming State Treasurer and Governor to help address this funding shortfall or get a legislative fix if need be.
CR: Casinos are on the horizon in Chelsea. No matter who gets the license, Chelsea is going to be a surrounding community. Also looming on the horizon is a November vote to repeal casino gaming altogether. Do you support the repeal, and if so, why? If not, what project do you prefer and why?
DR: As a State Representative, I find that it my responsibility to make sure my district is protected regardless of where a casino is located. I will work with whatever company is awarded a gaming license. According to the gaming law, municipalities negotiate the surrounding community agreements not the legislature. This entire process has got people’s logic warped. I’m not allowed to advocate a for a state contract to go to one software company over another or one paving company over another because they offered money to my constituency. Why is this different? It is a lot easier for a candidate to make noise. I am now an elected official and will continue to act like one on all state contracts. I spent the Kentucky Derby in Charlestown with a room full of constituents not as a guest of a casino applicant, like my opponent.
I will also add that my position is one of consistency. I was not against gaming before a site was proposed a mile from the house where I am raising my three children. So, I am not against gaming now. I didn’t wait until the day after a host community vote to declare my position. My position has been the same from the beginning. That position is: “if done correctly, I believe the Boston area can benefit from a luxury gaming resort”. In fact, other than those people who were against all gaming in Massachusetts from the beginning, a position I respect, I truly believe my position has been and will continue to be the most consistent in the State. I have not wavered or switched my opinion. I want the roads and bridges in Charlestown and Chelsea fixed regardless if there is a casino or not or where it is located.
CR: Chelsea has miles of waterfront, but during most of its recent history – and still today – that waterfront has been locked away from residents. Many young people don’t even know they live in a waterfront community. Certain projects like the PORT Park have changed that, but there is still a lot of area – some state-owned properties – that make the water inaccessible. What can you, as a state rep., do to help make the City’s waterfront more accessible?
DR: Repurposing old industrial waterfront property is an issue being looked at throughout the coast of the Bay State. I believe we need to find a way to make mixed use residential and commercial spaces compatible with Marine Industry, which is still a vital piece of our state’s economy. Parks such as Port Park and Piers Park in East Boston serve as nice buffers and allow access for recreation. Artists’ communities also seem to work as buffers from heavy marine industry. Right now the restrictions on re-zoning are far too cumbersome and do not allow for adequate master-planning. For us to fully utilize our coastline we have to look to streamline state and federal zoning so that we are not revitalizing one parcel at a time. I have also proposed a Mystic River Water Shuttle in some of my discussions. We need to connect workers and shoppers to the jobs and goods at Assembly Row and the office buildings in Charlestown. This is a natural commute.
Chelsea Record (CR): Immigration issues are pretty much front and center in Chelsea and have been for a long time. However, the recent surge of immigrants over the last year from Central American countries – via the southern U.S. border – has posed quite a challenge to Chelsea schools and resources. As state representative, what do you believe you can do to assist with this new situation on the streets and in the schools, and should Chelsea have to bear this entire burden?
Roy Avellaneda(RA): As a result of the recent surge of migrant children, Chelsea is experiencing a strain in its municipal budget. The strain would have been greater had it not been for the great collaboration of community resources. However, Chelsea deserves and should receive more state and federal aid in response to a situation far outside its control. As State Representative I would advocate for that state aid and reach out to federal officials for the same.
CR: For more than a decade, there has been a push to give illegal immigrants in the state legal driver’s licenses. There are legitimate arguments on both sides of the issue. Now, it appears that the issue will surface again in the near future. What is your stance on allowing driver’s licenses for people who don’t are not legally documented in the U.S.?
RA: We have not seen Immigration Reform at the Federal Level since Ronald Reagan was in office. In the meanwhile, states have had to find ways to deal with immigration issues for themselves. I support the licensing of undocumented residents. I believe it to be a public safety issue. I prefer to have the public and law authorities know of all who are living here and driving on our roads and that all drivers are trained and insured.
CR: The streets in Chelsea, particularly Broadway and other thoroughfares, are in rough shape. Some areas even have cobblestone showing from generations ago. Money is tight, and the City has gotten to projects when it can. However, there isn’t enough to go around to take care of all the needs in a City where more and more cars travel the streets every year. What can you, as state rep., do to help cities like Chelsea solve their street repair woes?
RA: As State Representative, I can advocate for increased authorization of Chapter 90 funding for Chelsea to maintain, repair and improve its roads. Ch. 90 is a 100% reimbursable and essential source of funding so that main thoroughfares such as Broadway can be repaired in a more timely fashion.
CR: Chelsea is in dire need of a new middle school, and the Clark Avenue School is currently on the drawing board with state funding approval. However, once the fine print was read, things got a lot more expensive and state funding didn’t cover everything. Now Chelsea is in a predicament with surging costs on the new school. Do you have any ideas about how to ease the pain of this situation from the state level?
RA: The Legislative intent of the School Building Reinbursement Fund was for municipalities to receive 80% funding. As State representative I would review the situation and application for reimbursement first with city officials and later with members from the Mass School Building Authority. It is these in discussions that I would try to mitigate the differences and attempt to include costs that were not originally covered in the application. Additionally, I would seek clarification so that this does not occur to any other applicant in the future.
CR: Casinos are on the horizon in Chelsea. No matter who gets the license, Chelsea is going to be a surrounding community. Also looming on the horizon is a November vote to repeal casino gaming altogether. Do you support the repeal, and if so, why? If not, what project do you prefer and why?
RA: I have said that the repeal is a half hearted effort to limit gambling. We would still have the lottery, scratch tickets, horse racing and bingo with a two full resort casinos an hour away. I therefore do not support half hearted measures and will vote no on the Casino Repeal question.
Without a doubt the upcoming decision of the Mass Gaming Commission on which of the two casino proposals, Wynn Casino in Everett or Mohegan Sun in Revere, is the most pressing issue facing Charlestown and Chelsea right now. I support the Chelsea City Council and have advocated to the Mass Gaming Commission that the Mohegan Sun proposal be approved. The Mohegan Sun proposal offers greater dollar mitigation packages to Chelsea and other surrounding communities. It also has less impact overall to traffic due to its two onsite Blue line stations, ample onsite parking and higher dollar amount spent on traffic redesign along Rt 1A and Rt 16.
CR: Chelsea has miles of waterfront, but during most of its recent history – and still today – that waterfront has been locked away from residents. Many young people don’t even know they live in a waterfront community. Certain projects like the PORT Park have changed that, but there is still a lot of area – some state-owned properties – that make the water inaccessible. What can you, as a state rep., do to help make the City’s waterfront more accessible?
RA: I have seen legislation passed that allowed other areas of the Boston Harbor be de-designated as Port zoning. This legislation allowed waterfront areas to be used for non-industrial water dependent uses. As State Representative, I would sponsor and advocate for similar language in waterfront areas of Chelsea if it was supported by a City Council Home Rule Petition or a Master Plan.