Bob Parks: Campaign Announcement
By Candidate Bob Parks (05/08/06)
Although the numbers aren’t yet official, our campaign is confident in the fact we didn’t obtain the signatures necessary to get us on the September primary ballot.
While we know full well the political demographics of this district and weren’t disillusioned as to our chances, there are many positive events that have occurred.
We had to turn away many Democrats who wanted to sign our sheets. If we could have included their signatures, we would have been way over the number needed. Many of our signature sheets also contained the disqualified inscriptions of Democrats. That proves the widening disconnect between the incumbent and his own constituents. It also shows our message of self-reliance has struck a chord with Republican, Independent, as well as Democrat voters.
We’ve talked with many people over the last few months that feel the incumbent doesn’t care about their issues. Now while we don’t wish to pit one town against another, it’s apparent to many voters that Representative Donelan mostly takes care of his hometown Orange before all else.
For example, Athol and Greenfield schools are hemorrhaging students due to what they perceive to be dilapidated facilities. However, Orange has a new school. Whether Representative Donelan had a direct hand in it’s construction or not, the fact that he had a prominent speaking role in its dedication shows that some credit him. What he has done to address the Athol and Greenfield schools is an unknown.
Maybe now that our campaign has mentioned this problem, he may act. We have a plan.
There are many roads and bridges in the districts that have long required attention. Public works projects in Orange have been or are in the process of being completed.
Residents of Eagleville Road in Orange have been flooded out and the cause is still a mystery. They were desperate enough to call their state representative. According to the residents, Representative Donelan came briefly to one of their meetings and didn’t return their phone calls for weeks after that.
The residents reached out to us. Although we’re only private citizens, we went to see the damage brought on by almost a year of neglect. The day our visit made the newspapers, Representative Donelan took the time to call the affected residents. It’s unfortunate it took our visit to get the incumbent to act. Thank God for the Eagleville residents it’s an election year.
The incumbent told one of his constituents that “Nobody wants to come out here” regarding job creation in our district. We find that a truly insulting and disturbing opinion that no politician should say about his area or constituents.
We have a plan for the economic development of 2nd Franklin District. The district has been waiting for one from Representative Donelan for four years, but as it is a major component of our campaign, that may prompt him to come up with one soon. That would appear to be the pattern.
We are going forward with a write-in campaign to win the Republican nomination in September. Only 150 stickers/write-ins will be needed to win the nomination. Considering the monumental problems that face this district, a write-in campaign is a small challenge in comparison.
It's the job of an elected representative to be a public servant; not royalty. We pledge that once elected, we will spend more time in the district and will concentrate our efforts in doing what's best for our people first. We will do this all year 'round, not just in an election year. We will earn our people's trust; not expect blind loyalty.
We will be aggressively reaching out to any and all people or groups who wish to hear our plans for our district’s revitalization.
At least we have a plan....
For any additional information about our campaign, please visit http://bobparks4staterep.com/ We look forward to a very competitive campaign over the coming months.
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