Politics

October 1, 2009

POLITO, FAMILY TESTIFY ON DRUNK DRIVING BILL

BOSTON – Representative Karyn E. Polito, R-Shrewsbury testified at the Committee e on the Judiciary’s public hearing relative to House Bill 3632, An Act Relative to Blood Alcohol Testing, a bill aimed at closing loopholes in the state’s laws for drunk drivers.

House Bill 3632 would change Massachusetts from being a “time of offense” state to being a “time of test” state, making the statutory laws of the Commonwealth match the case law.  The Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Commonwealth vs. Colturi that as long as a breathalyzer test is conducted in a reasonable amount of time after the driver’s last operation of the vehicle, that test should be admissible in court. The court indicated that three hours was a reasonable time frame, setting a precedent that we need to correct our statutory laws to reflect.

“Drunk driving is a very dangerous crime that has torn communities apart as fatalities mount as a result of this negligent behavior,” stated Polito. “A great number of bills sitting before the Committee on the Judiciary are aimed at closing loopholes in the drunk driving laws of the Commonwealth, and I urged the committee to consider an omnibus bill, incorporating all of these fixes into a comprehensive bill to strengthen our statutes and protect innocent motorists.  Drunk driving can affect anyone, at anytime, and I will continue to advocate for the safest standards possible for the citizens of the Commonwealth.”

Polito filed the bill as a result of the 2006 death of Evangelos Pashou, a Shrewsbury resident.  At the hearing, the Pashou family testified to the terrible tragedy their family suffered at the hands of a drunk driver.

The Committee on the Judiciary will consider the testimony heard and make a determination on reporting these bills out of the Committee.

If you have any further questions, please contact Representative Polito’s Legislative Aide, Kaitlyn Sprague at: 617-722-2230; kaitlyn.sprague@state.ma.us.

Two candidates are running for the single Planning Board seat in 2009:

• Jack Cahill
• Mark Silverbeg

I have invited candidates to submit a statement for publication here at Westborough.com.  I hope to hear soon from Jack Cahill.  The other contested race is for a seat on the Housing Authority, where Priscilla Federici is running against incumbent Charlie Naples.

You're also encouraged to view these candidate statements for the contested races that were recently published in the Community Advocate on April 24, 2009

Jack Cahill for Planning Board

(STATEMENT TBD)

Mark Silverberg for Planning Board

Six years ago, I bought my first house. As a veteran real estate appraiser,
I knew what I wanted, and Westborough has it; great schools, a small town
feel, a vibrant downtown, and the convenience of Rte. 9. There is a
dedication to the preservation of open space, a commitment to town history,
and a vision for the future. I am running for Planning Board because I want
to contribute toward that future.

Two years ago, I bought my last house. I didn't look anywhere else;
Westborough is my home. My three children will grow up here, and Westborough
is where my wife and I will spend the next 40 plus years. Every decision
voters make now can affect that future, and I hope to represent the voters
of Westborough in making some of those decisions.

The Planning Board is an exciting opportunity for me to use my skills to
give back to this community. The decisions of the Planning Board directly
impact the value of real estate, and I have spent 17 years as a real estate
appraiser becoming an expert on valuation. Developers and homeowners apply
for Planning Board approval with the intent of increasing the value of their
property, and I am extremely adept and experienced at gauging the impact
these proposals will have on their property, and just as importantly, their
neighbors.

Many of the key initiatives of the Master Plan have been realized. Bay State
Commons is a reality, and the adjacent park can become a vital part of
downtown. The Lee Property on West Main St. is an excellent example of the
Planning Board working with developers to preserve open space. Zoning
changes have been implemented to enhance redevelopment opportunities on Rte.
9, while ensuring that East Main St. maintains its charm. The proposed
Senior Living Overlay district to be voted on at Town Meeting will provide a
cohesive plan for the future of our seniors.

If elected, I will bring an open-minded and creative outlook to new
developments, while drawing on experience to envision and forecast the
potential impact of those developments. Open space in Westborough is
limited, and should be preserved as much as possible, while redevelopment of
existing sites should be encouraged to entice new commercial and residential
projects. As a small business owner, I recognize the need to encourage and
support local businesses, particularly in their competition with large scale
corporate competitors. Affordable housing initiatives are important to
maintain diversity in Westborough's population, but should be regulated by
the town, and should include affordable housing for seniors to ensure that
residents on a fixed income can afford to stay.

The people of Westborough have an important choice facing them. The next
Planning Board member will be required to make many difficult decisions for
this town. Please honor me with your trust to make those decisions. Please
vote Mark Silverberg for Planning Board.