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Hanna Interviews State Rep.
Candidate Lonnie Brennan
by Hanna
10/03/06
 What does
a state representative do and why should people care?
The biggest thing a representative should do is protect
the money that we, the taxpayers, give them. We should
make sure that money is spent correctly on education,
schools, the environment, affordable housing, reasonable
transportation, fire and police protection. Voters and
their children should care what a representative does
because without strong representatives who listen to the
will of the people, we end up with folks who dictate
their own goals and agendas, and represent special
interest groups that give them money.
What do you do now that makes you
qualified to be a state representative?
I’m in my 10th year now of elected experience. I was
on the School Committee for eight years in Salem, Mass. I
learned a lot and helped a lot. I’m a selectmen in
Georgetown now, and I deal with budgets and most of the
same issues at the local level that the legislature deals
with at the state level. It’s easy to make enemies
when you make tough decisions and tell folks they have to
wait until you can afford things. But I think people
realize I have a good heart, a strong desire to be fully
involved in everything I do, unflappable principles, an
appreciation for others, and when I say I will do
something, I do it and you never have to guess where I am
on an issue. I listen. I don’t play games. I tell it
straight and give you the opportunity to agree or
disagree, but most importantly to tell me why I should
change. I’ve been involved in technical writing for
manufacturing equipment and computer parts manufacturers
for more than 18 years now. My work is detailed. I work
with engineers and product managers and tight deadlines
and such. It helps to work with many people on complex
projects and products. Also, with my bride of 18 years,
we run a small business, a candy store called the
Chocolate Cellar in Georgetown. When the money is gone,
it’s gone. You have to balance your wants with your
needs. You have to have discipline. Running a budget and
paying employees, suppliers and taxes takes a lot of
work.
What is your favorite book?
It’s a toss up between “Without Fear or
Favor,” which clearly states the way I like to live
as an elected official - although it does gets a little
boring in parts as it explains the history of what the
New York Times used to be like - and “The Day the
Universe Changed,” which is a phenomenal book that
talks about great scientific discoveries and how they
helped us to better understand our world.
Do you have any children and do
they go to public schools?
Three. I think you’re close to the same age as my
daughter, Kinsey. She’s just entered the sixth grade
and is 11 years old. She’s full of energy and life
and has a smile that goes on forever. Elyse is my
brainiac smart one who’s in the 10th grade, and
doesn’t want me to even think about her starting to
date because I would just embarrass her. Wesley is the
soccer dude who’s a senior having fun and buckling
down with studies, trying to figure out college things.
They’re all in public schools, and they’re all
the best. I mean, we are truly, truly blessed - I guess
because they take after their mom!
What do you want to accomplish if
you win?
The list is long. Right away, let’s focus on the
budgets year-round, not just in the mad dash that seems
to occur every spring. Let’s do everything we can to
put more tax dollars back into local cities and towns and
not keep increasing state spending. Next, I want to be in
your school and meet with your School Committee. I want
to be in every City Council and selectmen’s office
and I want to listen to folks and work in each of the
communities. We have six in this district and must give
each of them attention. As your representative, that
means I work for you. You’re the boss. You should be
able to call me and talk to me. We should be able to
discuss things. I need to listen to everyone and do my
absolute best to respect the will of the voters. I’m
sure we won’t always agree, as I will have just one
vote to give, but it’s my job to use that vote
wisely, and try my best to encourage other
represent-atives to work together to help out our
communities. Long-term, I seriously want to work with
MassPIRG, a group of consumer and environmental folks who
care about our community, and I want to make sure that my
mother and my grandmother are able to live without
getting taxed and fee’d to death.
Should good teachers be paid the
same as bad teachers?
I think you know the answer: No way!
Do you support MCAS?
Yes. People complain a lot about the testing, but it
gives students and teachers something to strive for.
It’s not the total answer, but it helps to identify
weaknesses and areas where we need to help students.
Why should the voters choose you
over Barbara L’Italien?
Well, it’s not like trying to compare Pepsi to Coke.
We’re very different. I have an entirely different
idea about representation: You’re the boss, I work
for you. I know everyone in all the communities
won’t agree on everything, but we should certainly
try to get the best representation we can. There are a
lot of issues that we strongly disagree about. I believe
a representative should represent the entire community,
not just one or two towns. Ms. L’Italien has also
promoted herself as an independent voter, but she has
voted 96% of the time with the House leadership (the
bossman in the House of Representatives). That’s not
independent. That’s a robot. We don’t need a
robot for the House leadership. Sure, a lot of folks will
like her and at some point it becomes a popularity
contest. Folks forget about where their taxes are. What
their streets look like. They forget about a lot of
things and just think that they’re going to vote for
the person they think they like the most. At that point,
we get stuck with the same-old same-old, and not much
gets done. To be fair, I’m sure there are a few good
things that Ms. L’Italien has done which I would
want to continue and expand on, and that includes
supporting healthcare for seniors - I mean, that’s a
no-brainer - and working to get the best education for
all children, including those with special needs and
those with exceptional abilities.
Will you raise taxes?
No. And that includes fees. I signed the Citizens for
Limited Taxation Pledge, and I believe taxes should not
be increased. And we should also make sure that fees
should only be adjusted to cover the actual, reasonable
cost of performing something, like getting a
driver’s license, building permit, or a fishing
license.
Will you roll back taxes to 5%?
YES. I know the legislature doesn’t want to give up
any money. Well, my vote will be there to roll back
taxes. And, it also means I will make votes to reduce
spending on many projects. It’s time to go back to
5% because the voters said so. The more money you give
this government, the more they spend. Think about it. If
I give you $5 to spend in the store, or $6 to spend, how
much of it will you spend? Probably all that I give you
if it’s an ice cream place, right? The important
thing here is not to shock any budgets. Know what
you’re voting on and where the impacts and
reductions will be. Do it openly and honestly, and let
folks know what cuts can be made and how.
What bills will you sponsor if you
are elected?
The first one I hope to sponsor is a very strong child
protection act. It will make sure that bad folks
can’t do any more harm to children. Next, I want to
offer a list of what I call common-sense bills. For
example, why do I pay a 5-cent deposit on a can of soda,
but not on a can of juice? Why does one end up in the
trash and the other gets recycled?
Kind of silly, huh? Insurance bills are ridiculous. And,
of course, I want to look at more affordable housing for
our seniors, especially our grandmothers and
grand-fathers for when the kids grow up and they sell
their houses. It would be nice to have more smaller
houses, and communities with small gardens near schools,
and athletic facilities, and within walking distances for
shopping and stuff. But, that’s just the beginning.
People in Massachusetts can save a
lot of money on their car insurance by switching to
Geico, but the Legislature won’t let them. Will you?
In a heartbeat. Yes, yes. I’m also concerned about
how few homeowner insurers there are in this state, too.
What committees would you like to
sit on?
Ways and Means is the big one. That’s where all the
money flows: Ways and Means. Strange title, but
that’s the place to be. Also, I want to be on the
Children and Families Committee, the Elder Affairs
Committee - hey, I have the grey hair and time to protect
my future too - and Labor and Workforce Development
Committee because jobs are important. Of course, if I
can, I’ll try to get onto the Economics Committee
and the Transportation Committee. I really want the
Transportation Committee because a lot of folks in our
district need more services. Realistically, I could
expect to serve on four to five committees my first year.
Fortunately, I don’t golf so I’ll have plenty
of time to dedicate to this.
Do you support giving benefits to
illegal aliens?
Yes. In the form of a ride back to wherever they came
from. I know that sounds cruel, but if we give
driver’s licenses and free tuition to illegals,
they’ll just keep coming and coming. It’s just
stupid. I want to help everyone, but there’s a
balance between helping and getting totally taken
advantage of, and letting them consume our tax dollars.
Again, what part of “illegal” confuses some
folks? It’s illegal. Why should we do anything to
promote illegal activity?
You can email your comments or questions
to Hanna at valleypatriot@aol.com
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The October, 2006
Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
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All Contents (C) 2006, Valley Patriot, Inc.
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