19th Middlesex State Representative Debate

Incumbent Dave Robertson and Candidate George Ferdinand met October 7th for the 19th Middlesex State Representative Debate.

The 19th Middlesex State Representative debate was held last Monday, 10/07/24, at 7pm. Katie Lannan, State House Reporter for GBH News, moderated the debate, alongside a panel of journalists which included Peter Currier from the Lowell Sun, Lizzy Hill from the Wilmington Town Crier, with myself representing the Tewksbury Carnation.

Robert Hayes, of the Wilmington Apple, served as timekeeper.

Wilmington Community Television (WCTV) hosted the event in their studios. The debate will be available to watch on the YouTube channels of Wilmington Community Television (WCTV) and Tewksbury Telemedia through Friday, November 1st.

The race for the 19th Middlesex State Representative features three candidates: three-term Incumbent Dave Robertson (Democrat), Challenger Paul Sarnowski (Republican), and Challenger George Ferdinand (Independent).

Robertson and Ferdinand attended the debate. Sarnowski declined to participate.

Twelve questions were asked of the candidates, three by each panelist and three by moderator Katie Lannan. Candidates had ninety seconds to answer each question, and an additional sixty seconds to
respond to each other’s answers. Candidates were also provided the opportunity to make a two-minute opening and closing statement.

Opening Statements:

Robertson: Robertson thanked Katie, the panel, and Ferdinand for participating, as “it’s an important part of our democratic institution and process.” Robertson noted he is a native of the district, who attended high school in Tewksbury, and attended college at UMass Amherst, graduating with a degree in political science and economics. He worked in the private sector before joining up with Representative Miceli as an intern. Upon the loss of Representative Miceli, Robertson ran against seven others for the position. He has since held the role for three terms. He thanked the voters of the community who chose him, and thanked those for tuning in.

Ferdinand: Ferdinand began by acknowledging the anniversary of “the massacre of approximately 1,200 Jews, including 46 Americans, at the hands of the terrorist group Hamas.” He declared that his heart went out to the families left behind and to the Jewish citizens in the 19th district. George commented on his life experience. He has a wife Patty, two dogs named Dexter and Penny, and one cat named Zoe. He has worked in the private sector for forty-four years, primarily in the auto industry. He owns two homes, has broken his back, and has had open heart surgery. He has had friends pass away from AIDS, cancer, a motorcycle accident, a heart attack and suicide. His own family has experienced mental illness. With this life experience, he concluded, “I know of [the] financial obligations, taxes, bills, healthcare and responsibility you have had or currently face.” With his fighting spirit and negotiation skills, Ferdinand asked the community for their support.

The Debate:

Listed below are the questions from the panel and host, paired with the candidates responses. These questions were asked on a rotating basis between each journalist.

Peter Courier of the Lowell Sun:

1. With neither Tewksbury or Wilmington having passed MBTA Communities zoning and the law up in the air, what alternatives to MBTA Communities would you seek to address housing?

Ferdinand: George Ferdinand stated he was against the MBTA community zoning bill for reasons he called overreach. He expressed concerns regarding the change from 2/3rds vote in town meeting, to a one vote over majority.

Robertson: Robertson highlighted that housing is a regional problem. He explained that the average salary in the Middlesex district is $58,000, which means a resident would need to pay, on average, $13,000 for the 20% down payment requirement. He is in favor of the MBTA Communities Act, stating, “It’s not a right to build; it’s a right to propose.” He noted that the alternative would be far worse.

Ferdinand Response: Ferdinand chose not to respond.

Robertson Response: Robertson discussed the “infamous 40B,” which he claimed largely ignores important factors like traffic and environmental concerns, resulting in negative consequences. He explained that the MBTA legislation is less impactful in this regard. He emphasized that if the community embraces the legislation, it can preserve and respect local culture, such as Wilmington’s two-story height limit. He concluded by stating that there needs to be a diverse range of housing options to match the varied needs of the community.

2. Where do you stand on the new gun law and the new restrictions it implements?

Ferdinand: While Ferdinand did not have the chance to vote on the gun law, he indicated that he does not support the red flag law. He stated he believes that the people should have their voices heard on a ballot two years from now.

Robertson: Robertson maintained that while there are good aspects of the bill, with good intentions, the execution is lacking. He highlighted the that while there is a lot of faith in future tech around firearms, they are not always reliable. “I thought the firearms law had some aspects which were mostly bluster … that weren’t going to really change what we already have nationally in terms of very low firearms and homicide rates.” He concluded that majority of fatalities from fire arms in state are from suicide and the law is not practical, affordable or realistic.

Ferdinand Response: Ferdinand reiterated that the Red Flag has good intentions but he has cause for concern. “All you need today to ruin somebody is an accusation.” He refers to the police officers and military for advice.

Robertson Response: Robertson continued that he believed the commonwealth failed with expedient fire arms processing and if wrongly accused, processing could take months. His pushback comes form its execution.

3. Do you support Question 1 on the ballot, which gives the state auditor the authority to audit the state legislature?

Ferdinand: Ferdinand supported Question 1 on the ballot, stating that Democrats say they’re for workers, yet they won’t give an option for their staff to unionize. He believes the state auditor has “guts”. He added, her budget only increase by “2% or 3%”, yet the attorney general received an 10% increase in their budget.

Robertson: Robertson voiced apprehension of staff unionization. He wants to ensure the staff don’t lock down the legislature. While he morally agreed, he didn’t think it was the right path. Legislature shouldn’t be “beholden by one person” and there needs to be a committee to better represent everyone’s voice.

Ferdinand Response: Ferdinand referred to logic. He stated his if for continued reform.

Robertson Response: He concluded he was not going with the party platform on this. He reiterated that one person shouldn’t be a reflection of seven million people.

…

Lizzie Hill of the Wilmington Town Crier

1. What would you do to encourage more businesses to move into Wilmington, and what types of businesses would you like to see move in?

Robertson: Robertson referenced an economic study by Donahue Institute. The number one suggestion was a Gastro-Pub. He referenced two potential hurdles: the string hold that is Route 38 and bureaucracy. He gave example of the ongoing debate for dispensaries and liquor licenses at Tewksbury. This time delay and lack of accessibility pushes business to Amazon.

Ferdinand: Ferdinand welcomed businesses of all sizes and political affiliations to the district. He proposed offering tax breaks to companies that relocate to town. He also referenced the 1992 North American Free Trade Agreement, asking why not Tewksbury or Wilmington instead of Canada?

Robertson Response: Robertson recently voted on an economic bill inviting “forward-looking” businesses to the district. He helped bring a company that creates the substance that makes up computer chips, to Wilmington. He would ask more of the fortune 500 companies to take burden off the small businesses

Ferdinand Response: Ferdinand referenced his history in the auto industry. He invites both electric and nuclear fusion to the district.

2. Wilmington has several large building projects planned and on the horizon–the new possible pre kindergarten to grade five elementary school, and ideas for a fire substation and a matching new elementary school for the other side of town. Funding for new schools has come from the MSBA. What other avenues or sources would you pursue to reduce Wilmington’s burden for other large building projects?

Robertson: Robertson referenced he is the only candidate running who has been involved in two successful projects. He believes the fire substation should have taken priority over the town hall due to the critical need for emergency response times. He supports Wilmington’s efforts to create a campus that aims to reduce disruptions and impacts. He also raised the question of whether the town would choose to accommodate kindergarten through fifth grade or kindergarten through third grade.

Ferdinand: Ferdinand recalled his twelve years of teaching experience at Sunday School. He explained, every two years the state visits and supports different towns and cities and their projects, but there are 351 towns in the state. It is more realistically at ten-year cycle vs two-year cycle. If elected he will put the fire substation first.

Robertson Response: Robertson agreed that the government is not designed for rapid turnarounds. He plans to approach each step methodically and work in conjunction with the government to achieve the best efficiency.

Ferdinand Response: Ferdinand agreed with Robertson in regards to conjunction efforts.

3. The EPA finalized a prospective purchaser’s agreement with Wilmington Woburn Industrial for the Olin site at 51 Eames Street to be redeveloped. How would you work to ensure that the cleanup is truly completed and contamination is limited?

Robertson: He confirmed that expedited means cleaning versus being discharged. The DAPL chemical has potential to kill the few remaining wells in Wilmington.

Ferdinand: Ferdinand drew connections to the influence the presidential vote has on the EPA. He referenced that Kennedy was the only candidate in the last forty years that has focused on food and water. He emphasized his belief in utilizing local sources.

Robertson Response: Robertson combated Ferdinand, stating that local isn’t always better. He referenced Susan Sullivan, champion on environmental issues, and clarified that the state took 25 years to complete the study which confirmed the associated chemical causes cancer. He believes local sources don’t have the necessary resources to support those types of studies.

Ferdinand Response: Ferdinand responded with the system is broken and “it needs to be shaken up”. A representative needs to be able to fight for this protection.

Robertson Rebuttal: Robertson replied, stating he wasn’t sure how much more fighting he could have done, as DAPL travels at a certain rate and there is no time machine.

…

Kari Weinstein of the Tewksbury Carnation

1. Affordable housing continues to be a concern in suburban areas like Wilmington and Tewksbury. Tewksbury has a current standing of just 0.04% over the 10% town mandate. With
Tewksbury on the path to non-compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, the town may not be eligible to receive MassWorks grants and HousingWorks grants, as demonstrated by the current non-compliance in Milton, MA. How do you plan on helping maintain the 10% threshold, especially if certain key funding is revoked?

Ferdinand: Ferdinand highlighted both the housing shortage and housing affordability crisis. All grants annually equate to about sixty-five thousand dollars. He argued, opposed to the one thousand two hundred and fifty units of mitigation costs, the potential lack of grants pose no threat.

Robertson: Robertson took a moment to clarify that the 40B and MBTA Communities Act are separate. He clarified that of the fourteen different grants, only one of them is impacting town. This is the MassWorks grant. EOHLC grant, was never awarded to towns before the law passed. The district isn’t receiving the grant money anyways. However, Robertson does support the MBTA Communities Act.

Ferdinand Response: Ferdinand had no response.

Robertson Response: Robertson will work on infrastructure and technical issues to support a stronger housing market.

2. Given the aging infrastructure in many communities, including parts of Wilmington and Tewksbury, what steps do you plan on taking to improve water quality and infrastructure reliability for your constituents?

Ferdinand: Ferdinand highlighted he is the only candidate elected to a town position. He has served on the Board of Health twice and has been involved in the treatment plant in Lowell and the testing in town. He is currently working with both the DPW and the New Hampshire State Representative on this issue.

Robertson: Robertson is currently working with New Hampshire representatives on this issue. He believes it comes down to three things: source, transportation, removal. He noted that the Tewksbury Select Board has called for “combined sewage flow”. The New Hampshire difference in government makes it difficult to manage, however there is currently two million in state funding to replace pipes and infrastructure, and MS4 compliance waste water standard was one of his largest line items.

Ferdinand Response: Ferdinand gave support to Representative Lori Trahan, in appreciation for her water bill and her temperance.

Robertson Response: Robertson noted he supported real time monitoring. He noted it was unfair that Tewksbury and Wilmington had to pick up the cost of cleaning the polluted water, down river.

3. The “Right to Shelter Law” was recently amended to reduce the length of shelter stays from indefinite to 9 months, intending to encourage faster transitions to permanent housing.
Mr. Ferdinand, I know you’ve voiced to further reduce shelter stay to 6 months and intend to instill a “Residency Requirement”. In order to reduce reliance on shelters and promote faster transitions to permanent housing, what alternative programs, such as job training and affordable housing, do you plan on supporting to help counterbalance this increase in shelter turnover?

Ferdinand: Ferdinand stated that he believes in limited regulation and government involvement, expressing trust in the support that nonprofits provide for the community. He also supports reducing the length of shelter stays.

Robertson: Robertson noted that the the non-profits have often turned to him for support, while in office. Reliance solely on non-profits can result in bankruptcy. He stated the need to set people up for long term support and the need for access to transportation and education. Transportation creates access to more job opportunities and the trial at the Lowell Community College, in regards to free education over a certain age, gives people the opportunity to train in a new skillset.

Ferdinand Response: Ferdinand supports great non-profits such as Solider On. He noted he worked with a Tewksbury Veterans Agent, 10 years ago, in the beginnings of the non-profit’s creation.

Robertson Response: Robertson stated he hopes to “reduce churn and burn.” He believes Solider On is a great example because they provide housing, medical assistance, and job training. This “gets to the substance of the problem rather than treating the symptoms.”

…

Katie Lannan, State House Reporter for GBH News

1. I’m sure you both know, the state’s cost of housing homeless and migrant families in Massachusetts has ballooned to roughly a billion dollars a year amid unprecedented demand for these shelter beds. How should the legislature, respond to the humanitarian crisis, while still leaving room for the many other programs and priorities in the state budget?

Robertson: Robertson voted against that legislation. He equated homelessness to cardiac arrest, as it’s not just a matter of life and death, its also a difficulty stabilization. He declared that there needs to be a timeframe and it needs to be restricted to residents of the state.

Ferdinand: Ferdinand stated that immigration is set by Executive Branch, in which it rolls down to the states. The shelter law came into existence in 1983, however there wasn’t an issue until the last couple of years due to current immigration law. Ferdinand is in favor of more reform, beyond the 9-month cap. “We don’t want to get rid of the law but we don’t want people to take advantage.”

Robertson Response: Robertson noted this is not the first time the shelter law has had a bad impact on our community, whether domestic or migration related. He noted in New Hampshire, welfare is controlled by town and county, not by state. He believes non-residents have been taking advantage of this for a while.

Ferdinand Response: Ferdinand clarified he supports HB2, for political asylum and work visas, but there needs to be accountability. Housing includes many expenses including funds for food, shelter, healthcare, and mental evaluations.

2. Massachusetts is widely regarded as having one of the least transparent state governments in the country right now, for instance, let’s legislative committees don’t have to disclose how lawmakers vote on the bills. They consider, would you support changing that or extending the public records law to cover the legislature?

Robertson: Robertson has voted on transparency. However he doesn’t support voting when it creates redundancy. He stated the government needed to be “more accurate with our budgets for municipalities.”

Ferdinand: Ferdinand led with, “Transparency is important no matter what political party you’re a part of.” He stated he was “mega” concerned about transparency and supported recorded votes for committees. He is also was against voice votes and wants voice votes to be recorded.

Robertson Response: No response

Ferdinand Response: No response

3. Question two on the general election ballot would end the use of the MCAS test as a graduation requirement. Do you support or oppose the change and what type of role do you think the state should have in setting graduation standards?

Robertson: Robertson is leaning towards no on that question. MCASS was a measurement to move towards an equivalent public education regadless of background. He does understand the opposition, that there are ten valuable lessen plan days taken up by the test.

Ferdinand: Ferdinand stated he would vote in agreement to get rid of MCAS standards, as he wants less governmental involvement.

Robertson Response: Robertson’s remarks highlighted the tension between fiscal constraints and educational outcomes. By emphasizing that “the pie is only so big,” he underscored the limited resources available for education, which raised concerns about how those resources are allocated. His pride in his sisters and the state’s educational achievements contrasted sharply with his fears about the potential decline in standards if local control leads to lowered expectations. “God forbid I’m at the bank or the hospital or something better, my life or my life savings depends on and the kid can’t do basic algebra.”

Ferdinand Response: No response.

CLOSING STATEMENTS

Robertson: Robertson urged the public to call or text if they have any questions. “It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to serve these towns for the last six years.” He noted he voted off members of his own party and members of the opposition and he is not afraid to get things done. He thanked all involved in hosting the debate.

Ferdinand: Ferdinand referenced the Bruce Hornsby song “The Way it Is”. He recognized it as a call-to-action to not accept things as they are. He vowed to mandate recording of regulatory votes, vote against the MBTA Communities act – regardless of grant fund withholding, and to continue to reform shelter law. Ferdinand concluded and called upon the unenrolled voters in the district, who “have the option to make a difference.”

…

As a reminder that early voting runs from Saturday, October 19 through Friday, November 1 at both the Tewksbury and Wilmington town halls. Early voting hours vary between the two communities, so contact your town clerk’s office for details. The last day to register to vote in the election is Saturday. October 26 by 5pm. The deadline to request by mail or an absentee ballot is Tuesday, October 29 by 5pm. Election Day voting is Tuesday, November 5, from 7am to 8pm at your regular polling location.