Friday, October 18, 2013

Patch: Letter to Paul Donato

An open Letter to:

State Rep Paul J. Donato
State House
: Room 163
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: 617-722-2040
https://malegislature.gov/people/profile/pjd1

http://medford.patch.com/groups/rock-journalist-joe-vig-/p/rep-donato-needs-to-rein-in-the-democratic-tea-partiers-who-wrecked-candidates-night

Dear State Rep Donato: 

Just as the country - the entire world - experienced a fanatical wing of the Republican party holding the planet hostage, the Democratic City and Ward Committee presents a dog and pony show with questions asked of school committee members who have no opposition during this election cycle.  

Logic dictates that the time would have been better spent on the two candidates for Mayor.



With all the problems facing the city of Medford, and with precious time until November 5 when residents have an opportunity to vote, there's the notion that the City and Ward Committee not only failed to present a clear event between the two candidates; there's also the frightening thought that the two people controlling the event invited a "straw man" - one alleged "write-in" candidate to participate in a forum where Anthony D'Antonio and Michael J. McGlynn - two legitimate candidates who took the effort to get signatures - were scheduled to "debate."  The public's perception of the forum, the only face-off between the two candidates prior to election day - is that it is a "debate" - even if the City and Ward committee considers it a forum.

 

Why would one individual out of 57,000 be invited to be the "write-in" candidate when that person has no credibility and was part of an organization where one of that individual's colleagues is now up on a charge of a false bomb threat: a charge of an alleged terrorist act.

* * * * *

I received a Thank You note from one of the three individuals from local non-profits. He had recused himself from the City Council candidates forum after I pointed out the conflict of non-profits engaging in political speech, something that Medford Community Cablevision, Inc. was well aware of but violated with impunity. 

We citizens look up to our leaders like you, Rep Donato, to uphold the rights of citizens while admonishing those in your own party - specifically the married couple involved in the City and Ward Committee - who crafted an event which might be a great resource for them to massage their overblown egos, but does little or nothing for the hard-working residents of Medford who deserve the opportunity to choose who they want to be Mayor.


While you promote the incumbent publicly, speaking with you I get the distinct feeling that you aren't very happy with how the 26 years after you were Mayor have decimated city life in Medford.

Why you or Michael Marks or another viable candidate chose not to run is a mystery.  What is clear is that Anthony D'Antonio gave a strong performance at Candidates Night on October 16, 2013, despite the obvious roadblocks your colleagues at the Medford Democratic City and Ward Committee attempted to put in front of a legitimate candidate for the highest office in Medford. 

All the residents want, deserve and demand is fairness.  You are the person with more power than the incumbent mayor. With great power comes great responsibility, as the movie line goes.  We are counting on Paul Donato to do the right thing and work on behalf of the voters.  it is time for you, Mr. Donato, to flex your muscles and remove the problem children in the City and Ward Committee before they cause more mischief and before they taint the process - and possibly the election - more than they already have.