Not running … but maybe 2010

The open seat in the 37th Middlesex District has caused many people in town to call me and ask if I would again throw my hat in the ring. It certainly would be easier to run for an open seat. I thought long and hard about it but I’ve decided to sit this cycle out.

When I ran in 2006, it was not because I wanted to be a politician; it was because I was willing to be. I felt Mr. Eldridge ignored his constituents to the point where it has negatively impacted the people of this district. I’m not just talking about the income tax roll-back, English immersion, his willingness to give our tax revenue to illegal aliens, or voting against our right to vote where he thumbed his nose at the people he’s supposed to represent.

I’m also talking about his “I know better than you” attitude toward us. His chicanery becomes blatant with his promise to fight for property tax relief from one side of his mouth, while voting against the opportunity with the other side.

I’m also talking about his “I know better than you” attitude toward us. His chicanery becomes blatant with his promise to fight for property tax relief from one side of his mouth, while voting against the opportunity with the other side.

His Acton Plan, for instance, something he used to brag about — you don’t hear him talking about it around here any more, do you? Why?

Maybe because Acton is flush with money. They didn’t even have to tax to the max last year and don’t have to again this year, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in the bank. They are talking about adding more than 20 new teachers with that money; it’s difficult for anyone from Shirley to even imagine that.

Chapter 70 was designed to be a sort of Robin Hood act; that is to say, take from the wealthier communities and give back to the less affluent so their children too could receive a good education. Mr. Eldridge has managed to turn this on its head, taking from the less affluent and giving to the wealthy. The harmful effects of this are crushing young families and their children’s education here in Shirley and many other communities.

The old library is another example of where Mr. Eldridge advantages himself at the expense of, and without regard for, the people in Shirley by renting it for one dollar a month. That’s a crime in itself, but the fact is this lawyer, who touts experience with housing law, can’t even understand a simple contract.

I’m no lawyer but when I look at a contract that says I’m responsible for — well, let me quote part of his contract — “Said maintenance responsibilities of the tenant expressly include janitorial service, including the removal of snow and ice from the premises, rubbish removal, routine maintenance (such as replacing light bulbs and mowing the lawns) ” I would expect to pay these expenses.

I’m not sure how many of his responsibilities we have been picking up the tab for, but I know the town has at least been taking care of the snow removal and mowing the lawn. That’s got to be worth $2,000 a year. Resor and Eldridge have had the building for more than four years and that’s at least $8,000 I feel they should repay the town.

So I’m happy Mr. Eldridge no longer wants to be our state representative. I will watch our next representative to see if he or she follows in his footsteps and, like Mr. Eldridge, proves to be a cookie-cutter progressive liberal who votes with the Speaker of the House 90 percent of the time. If in two years I’m still unhappy with our school funding, economic opportunities and property taxes, I will consider a run in 2010.

I would like to thank all of you for your encouragement; I am humbled by your support.

Sincerely,

KEVIN C. HAYES