LETTERS

For House and Senate districts

Posted 10/30/14

Representative

District 22

In the race for Representative District 22, the only one in the city where an incumbent is not running, Joseph J. Solomon Jr. and Ralph Leone are vying for the seat …

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LETTERS

For House and Senate districts

Posted

Representative

District 22

In the race for Representative District 22, the only one in the city where an incumbent is not running, Joseph J. Solomon Jr. and Ralph Leone are vying for the seat now held by Frank Ferri. Ferri was a candidate for lieutenant governor and lost in a three-way primary for the Democrat nomination.

Solomon, the son of Ward 4 Councilman Joseph Solomon, grew up in Warwick and holds degrees in accounting from Providence College and law from New England Law. He left his job at the State House, where he was legal counsel for the House policy office, after declaring his candidacy.

Leone, the Republican candidate, grew up in Connecticut, where he was a firefighter. He retired as a battalion chief. He lives in Oakland Beach.

On a statewide basis, both candidates have focused on the need to improve the business environment. And on a local level both talk about obtaining added funds for the city.

Our choice is Solomon. He would bring a fresh, young (he is 31 years old) voice to the State House and, as demonstrated during this campaign, where he has shown up at virtually every local event, he promises to be visible and a listener in the community.

 

Senate District 31

Like a scarf, Senate District 31 wraps around the western and northern ends of the city, from Cowesett to Pawtuxet. It takes in a lot of divergent interests and issues, from the airport and related businesses to manufacturing, Kent Hospital, CCRI, the malls, apartments and homes in Cowesett and the historic village of Pawtuxet.

Incumbent Erin Lynch has proven she is an effective voice for the district. Her focus has been on improving the business climate by streamlining permitting processes. She chaired the Small Business Task Force and spearheaded the initiative enabling people to attend job training as interns at companies while seeking employment and unemployment benefits.

Her opponent, Jim Roche who is running as an independent, is a commercial financing specialist. He has voiced his outrage at the 38 Studios deal and says, if elected, he would work to bring transparency to government. He also talks of the increasing cost of government and the need for tax relief, two issues of concern.

Our choice is Lynch. She works hard at being a legislator and has proven her effectiveness.

 

Senate District 30

William Walaska has served the constituents of District 30 for 20 years and built a reputation for working for the interests of small business and creating opportunity for job and business growth, such as legislation that facilitated development at Quonset and Davisville. He also worked on reducing the state corporate tax and increasing the estate tax exemption among other initiatives.

Steven Archer, a certified registered nurse-anesthetist, is no stranger to the political process. He has run for councilman as well as the Senate. He says many of the issues haven’t changed: taxes, governmental red tape and accountability. He’s right. Archer is running as an independent. He also talks about the need for state road repairs. Again, he’s right.

But our choice is Walaska. With a background in finance and owning his own business, he has been effective in identifying and addressing issues impacting the state’s economy and the business climate. On a local level, he has given of his time and energy to help such organizations as the House of Hope, the J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center and JONAH.

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