Articles - July 2008

Littleton Independent
July 31, 2008

Avella campaigns at home

On the evening of July 23, Republican candidate for Second Middlesex District, Paul Avella met with voters at the house of Littleton Selectman Joe Knox and his wife Kathy. Knox invited numerous friends and neighbors to get a chance to meet Avella, hear him outline some of his positions, and ask questions.
Avella recounted how he felt called to run for School Committee. Shortly after moving to Littleton, he recognized that as wonderful as town government was, things could improve, "I decided to help make things better," said Avella.
"When I look at the State Legislature, I know we can do better," Avella continued. He then brought up his campaign theme of thrift, industry, and fortitude, values once treasured, and still by some, in New England.
"With thrift we need to save for a rainy day... industry means we need to work hard to make Massachusetts a better place...fortitude is about having the strength to do what is correct, not what is easy."
When it comes to taxation, Avella repeated his mantra of "Increase the base, not the rate."
"State legislators work for the people, too many legislators are not aware of that relationship," he said.
He described the way that the Speaker of the Massachusetts House Salvatore DiMasi runs the State House.
"There is no debate. No clarifying light is shed on a complex subject... The Speaker determines everything. If you are happy with North End representation (DiMasi's district) don't vote for me. If you want real representation for the Second Middlesex District, vote for me."
During questions from crowd, Joe Knox asked, "What can one person do to increase open government?"
Avella replied, "One person can call attention. One person can issue press releases, contact the media, spread the news and tell the people. I will work to provide this service, access, and accountability."
Katie Hunt wanted to know, "How are we going to attract businesses to come back to Massachusetts?"
Avella said, "Tax stability is equally as important to business than the actual tax rate. Business needs to be able to count an environment that will not change on them." He cited the recent attempt by Massachusetts law makers to retroactively raise the capital gains tax. "That sort of thing scares business."
Cathy Stewart asked, "What do you think about the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority?"
"With the right incentives," Avella answered, "every car in Massachusetts could be equipped with transponders. Traffic would be more efficient, and collection costs would go way down."
"I hear disappointment and dissatisfaction with the existing system," Avella continued, "I am offering a constructive change."
Selectman Alex McCurdy asked what might have been the biggest question of the night, "What is the most important target to fire a lone bullet at?"
"Openness and transparency," replied Avella. "There are far too many windmills to tilt at. When it comes to legislation, a number that sounds better on the 6 O'clock news, that is not at a real number, is used because the true costs are never debated publicly."
Avella then told the crowd that his plan for health care reform would be released in the weeks ahead.

Littleton Independent
July 07, 2008

Service is in candidate's blood

For Paul Avella, it's about transparency in government, and personal responsibility at home.
Republican candidate Avella is running to replace Rep. Geoff Hall (D-Westford) in the Legislature. He will face Pat Wojtas or James Arciero, Democrats who will compete in the Sept. 16 primary. The election is Nov. 4.
Avella is a retired Air Force Colonel who is grounded in service to community, and to accepting responsibility for one's actions.
For instance, he is in favor of the 40B housing legislation to increase low-cost housing, but he would have the towns reach out to developers first to shape the projects before settling for what housing is built. He is in favor of offering young children a head start.
Avella has a background in military service, and he is a staunch believer in diplomacy from his days at NATO, and hotspots like Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq. He feels that developing relationships among disparate factions leads to the best outcomes.
As a member of the Littleton School Committee, he said seeking consensus is one of his strong suits. After retiring from the Air Force and moving to Littleton, Avella, 54, said he decided to run for the committee as an outgrowth of his commitment to service.
"Instead of sitting in an armchair complaining that I could do better, I stood for election to prove I can do better," he said.
Service is a big part of his decision to run for state rep. too, he said.
Avella said there is not enough genuine dialogue and debate in the legislature.
"There are different ways of doing things," said Avella. "I want to make my case convincingly, and built consensus. I don't see a lot of that on Beacon Hill." He said the Speaker has too much power.
He said the debate about bringing in casino gambling was a good example.
"It was all about whether you wanted gambling or not," said Avella, "and not enough debate about the effects on the towns."
One of Avella's campaign themes is to strengthen the family. He thinks Gov. Patrick's recent Commonwealth Readiness Project does not address "a breakdown in the family unit."
"While the Readiness Project report addressed numerous causative factors for failures within our current educational system, it only touched upon an issue that I would characterize as 'root cause,' namely, a breakdown in the family unit," said Avella.
"The family unit is the best place for nurturing and educating a child before school age," said Avella.
He thinks parents should be more accountable for their children. "There is a difference between tolerance and apathy," said Avella. "Apathy says 'I don't care,' and tolerance says you will work with it."
He acknowledges that it may take two generations to effect change among children.
Avella said the current "safety net" that undergirds society is too porous.
"I'm all for the safety net, but how fine is the mesh?" he asked rhetorically. "I don't believe in making it too tight because I believe in individual accountability."
As he campaigns, he hears most about the loss of jobs and the increase in taxes in the district. He wants to attract more businesses to the Littleton, Westford and Chelmsford area by loosening some of the regulatory hurdles and perhaps reducing the tax burden on new businesses.
He said he does not believe in universal health care, but near-universal availability. He said all businesses should be required to participate in a health care program.
"If they want to do business they will offer policies," he said.
He thinks more Republicans in the legislature would provide more parity and a balanced debate about issues.
"If I have an idea and we debate it, it's a better idea at the end," said Avella.
He would reassess the entire tax system that places such a high burden on the homeowner.
"Local aid waxes and wanes," he said, advocating for a way to readjust the formula for taxing property and allocating it to the cities and towns.
His is a broad agenda, but he acknowledges the need to take it one step at a time.
"It's part of the process to work with people," said Avella.