North Andover School Committee Chairman Laurie Burzlaff has annpounced that she is supporting Barbara L'Italien in her campaign for State Representative.
"Serving in local office you get to see first-hand the importance of having active and engaged legislators," Burzlaff said. "I really think the Merrimack Valley has suffered not having Barbara fighting for us in the legislature."
Burzlaff, who is also supporting Republicans Scott Brown and Richard Tisei, said she did not get involved in the 2010 election when L'Italien was ousted by Jim Lyons.
"Like many voters, I was frustrated," explained Burzlaff. "I didn't care who the person was, I just didn't have the appetite to get involved in that race."
Burzlaff says she's since been turned off by Lyons.
"Barbara and I didn't always agree, but we always respected the roles each other played in moving our community forward," said Burzlaff, who is serving her second term on the School Committee. "I appreciate that Barbara took the time to keep local officials informed while also seeking input from residents."
“I took it for granted that state representatives always try to stay engaged with their local boards,” continued Burzlaff. “But since Jim Lyons was elected two years ago he hasn’t once reached out to keep us in the loop.”
L'Italien welcomed Burzlaff's support.
"Laurie is the epitome of a public servant," said L'Italien. "An accomplished business owner and devoted mother, Laurie has earned her reputation as a community volunteer who truly rolls up her sleeves, does the work, and shuns the spot light. I'm honored to have Laurie's support."
"I think there are great things happening in North Andover," continued L'Italien, "and I am excited by the prospect of partnering with Laurie and other members of the School Committee to help further improve our local schools."
Bryan McGonigle2
9:33 am on Monday, September 24, 2012
How about some examples to support your points? This endorsement is lacking and an example of how our elected officials are failing us.
"Serving in local office you get to see first-hand the importance of having active and engaged legislators," Burzlaff said. "I really think the Merrimack Valley has suffered not having Barbara fighting for us in the legislature."
How so?
Chris Allen
12:11 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
MikeA, your questions is a good one, and I just spent some time trying to find examples of Mr. Lyons voting records and initiatives that aided our schools. What I found on line was: Mr. Lyons was the sole vote against the budget that increased state aid to our schools. He also championed eliminating school health services.
Even when she not our rep, Barbara kept in touch with this school committee. And when she was making the decision to run again, she sat down with each of us five committee members to review current issues. I have never had a call from Mr. Lyons. And for the record, I will be voting for Ms. Warren and Mr. Tisei.
Chris Allen
1:48 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
To be clear, I said I support Warren & Tisei. But I confess, my preference for our two State Senators would be Warren & Brown. Maybe next time.
Bryan McGonigle2
2:05 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
My mistake - sorry - I deleted my original posting since it was flawed. Thanks for posting.
Peter
12:25 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
So let me see if I have this correct. Jim Lyons was the reason Local Aid was increased. Laurie Burlap supported Dave Torissi who lost the primary for being useless. Chris Allen supported Dave Castricone because he wasn't convicted yet. And these two geniuses are going to advise North Andover what is best for the Town.
Bill Callahan
4:45 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Peter - what we consistently see and hear from Representative Lyons are sound bites about EBT and money being wasted in Lawrence.
He's not making the time to work with local officials to advocate and advise them on local aid figures for education and the general budget. He's not making the time to come to our Town Meeting and listen to what people are saying.
My preference in the legislature is a problem solver like Barbara L'Italien. Representative Lyons' actions show he is interested in ideological disputes and not pragmatic solutions.
Bryan McGonigle2
5:06 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
If you are a liberal, Lyons is definitely not your candidate.
1) Keep in mind that Rep. Lyons doesn't currently represent North Andover.
2) Lyons is calling for target share funding which would result in more local aid if passed. If you don't agree with the current pragmatic solutions, the ideological disputes look pretty good.
3) The current Representative had the nickname "Where-is-he"? So I doubt Rep. Lyons is failing the not making time test. If you're a liberal, he's not spending time on your priorities because he doesn't share you views.
Bill Kelly
5:15 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Mike A. Rep Lyons has and does represent North Andover since being elected. Not sure where you get your information but lets at least try to be accurate.
Bryan McGonigle2
5:24 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I stand corrected again. He represents part of North Andover (the southern part) and parts of four other towns.
http://www.malegislature.gov/District/House/18thEssex
Bill Callahan
6:25 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
MikeA - regardless of my views, I want my Representative to listen and respond to citizens and officials. That's the job.
And offering as evidence of Rep Torrisi's job performance the nickname that his life-long opponent gave him is not exactly scoring a debate point.
I think the town will soon realize what it has lost in Rep. Torrisi. I hope that Barbara is back in office to bring that experience to bear.
salemst
2:03 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
First, Ex-Representative L'Italien supporters must also realize their candidate supports tax increases as L'Italien supported a 25% sales tax increase from 5% to 6.25%, supported institution of a 40% additional meals tax to .75%, and was the architect as Assistant Ways and Means Chairman in a private Conference Committee of instituting the alcohol tax slipping it into the budget all when the entire country including Massachusetts was in economic free fall experiencing massive job loss.
She exhibited utter disdain for the taxpayers and local businesses disregarding the additional hardship her tax increases imposed on her constituents. Local liquor stores losing upwards to 40% in revenue as residents streamed across the border to purchase. Tacking on additional meal and alcohol cost to families dining out.
After losing to Lyons in 2010 L'Italien then took a crony political patronage 100K job in Steve Grossman's Treasurer's office unqualified for the position having zero related experience.
My vote is for Lyons. He cares about the community, cares about taxpayers, and cares about businesses without whom there's no money to fund the government L'Italien supporters are speaking about.
With 127 Democrats and 33 Republicans currently in the House on Beacon Hill do we really want to increase Democrat numbers bringing her back, or do we want more balanced state government?
salemst
2:03 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Lyons represents, I believe, 2 precincts in North Andover. Starting January he adds 3 more. He's a fighter and advocate for local aid money back to the communities instead of Deval Patrick's and the Democrats like Barbara L'Italien giving it to Illegal Immigrants instead.
Wouldn't you rather money going to local communities benefiting taxpaying citizens instead of people not authorized to be in Massachusetts?