Opinion

“I was always a junk food person, still am.” ----Dolly Parton I've always loved Dolly Parton. She does whatever the heck she pleases; she wears clothes she likes, has big wigs and red shoes, and tells anyone who doesn't like it just where they can put their opinion. Oh, she can also sing and write songs, and she donates money, time, and attention to good causes. What's not to love? I was chatting with a friend the other night over pizza, cheap wine, and other…

The 8th Essex District is where I’ve called home my entire life. My sister Chloe and I are born and raised in Swampscott. My father’s side of the family hails from Lynn – specifically, West Lynn, as they’d expect me to specify. My older brother, Andrew, and my older sister, Hayley, grew up in Marblehead. I’ve never thought of these places as “the 8th Essex District” (and I don’t think anyone thinks of them like that outside of election season). To me, they’re home. The…

Constituent services are a vital part of a legislator's job, and that (along with our shared priorities) is why I'm supporting Diann Slavit Baylis for state representative.  Diann's experience as an immigration attorney, where she helps people navigate a complicated government bureaucracy, has prepared her well to intervene on behalf of constituents from this district who need their legislator's help to resolve a problem or to access state services or programs. While campaigning, Diann knocked on the doors of voters personally. As someone who accompanied her, I can…

Our family cares deeply about who represents the 8th district. We are all in for Jenny Armini.   Our roots run across this district. Mark grew up in Marblehead. We bought our first home together in Swampscott in 1998. We raised our kids there for 12 years before moving to Marblehead where our two sisters, their families, and Mark’s dad also reside. Sandi’s mom has made Swampscott home for 18 years.    Jenny, too, has raised her family and been a vital member and leader of church,…

I first came to know Tristan when he accompanied his mother on a food drive for local food pantries. He assisted in obtaining donations from shoppers at the Stop and Shop. Tristan, a teenager at the time, was eager to ask one and all to contribute, and engaged especially well with children, helping them to put donations into the collection basket. In both high school and college, Tristan was an accomplished athlete in track and field, jumping hurdles and other such events. He is giving…

We have several talented people running for state rep. I am supporting Jenny Armini. Platforms are ideas and promises. Remember the quote: ”don’t tell me what you’re going to do, show me what you have done”. To distinguish among the candidates, I have narrowed it down to three things: Do they know the district? Jenny Armini has lived here for 17 years, and had a variety of experiences as a parent of children in the public schools, homeowner, volunteer, member of a church, active in…