As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for state representative in the Essex 14th precinct five questions that focused on topics ranging from the state budget to school funding. Here is Question 5: Towns are operating on tight budgets, and North Andover is relying on federal money to keep its school budget intact. Will you push for more local aid, less local aid, or leave local aid the same?   David Torrisi (D) I have always been a strong advocate for our schools. Education is essential to preparing students for the larger world. During this …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for state representative in the Essex 14th precinct five questions that focused on topics ranging from the state budget to school funding. Here is Question 4: North Andover, like most communities in the Merrimack Valley, is a border town. Border towns have lost business since the state's sales tax was raised to 6.5 percent. What would you like to see happen with the sales tax, and why?     David Torrisi (D) I am proud to have voted against the sales tax increase which was passed last year.  I felt strongly …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for state representative in the Essex 14th precinct five questions that focused on topics ranging from the state budget to school funding. Here is Question 3: Crime is a big issue in Lawrence, which the 14th Essex seat also represents. That crime often spills into North Andover, as many people arrested in North Andover are listed as being Lawrence residents, and home burglaries are on the rise in North Andover. How will you address the rising crime rate in Essex 14?   David Torrisi (D) Unfortunately rising …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for state representative in the Essex 14th precinct five questions that focused on topics ranging from the state budget to school funding. Here is Question 2: North Andover currently has an 8 percent unemployment rate. Although the number is down from almost 9 percent this time last year, but the number is still high and many in town are feeling the effects. How do you plan to address job growth in the state and locally?   David Torrisi (D) Job growth is my top priority.  In order to create new jobs, we must …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for state representative in the Essex 14th precinct five questions that focused on topics ranging from the state budget to school funding. Here is Question 1: How would you address our states budget deficit?   David Torrisi (D) This past session, my colleagues and I in the Legislature passed comprehensive transportation reform, pension reform, and education reform.  Each of these initiatives was enacted in an attempt to consolidate departments and eliminate inefficiencies, while leveraging maximum federal …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the three candidates for the Essex County Sheriff five questions that focused on topics ranging from department operations to overcrowded jails. Here is Question 5: The sheriff's department runs the jail but also alternative and rehabilitative programs. What's the balance between those different areas and how will you make those decisions? Damian Anketell The primary role of correctional officers is to correct. To reform people.  My job as the next Sheriff of Essex County is to review the best practices in rehabilitation and to …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the three candidates for the Essex County Sheriff five questions that focused on topics ranging from department operations to overcrowded jails. Here is Question 4: In the current economy the budget is bound to continue to be tight. What are your top priority areas where the sheriff's department should spend money? When cuts come down, what areas would you cut first? Damian Anketell The incumbent has increased his upper management staff by over 300 percent in his 14 years in office. The first thing I would to address regarding …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the three candidates for the Essex County Sheriff five questions that focused on topics ranging from department operations to overcrowded jails. Here is Question 3: The Middleton House of Correction is overcrowded. In your opinion, how bad is that problem? And what would you do about it?   Damian Anketell Overcrowding poses an immediate danger to our community's' safety. What I would do differently as Sheriff is to work with local law enforcement agencies to develop a diversionary program for first time offenders, excluding …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the three candidates for the Essex County Sheriff five questions that focused on topics ranging from department operations to overcrowded jails. Here is Question 2: What ways do you, or would you, have the Sherriff's Department reach out to the communities in Essex County?   Damian Anketell The first would be in implement a juvenile identification program and also work more closely with families of those affected by substance abuse.   Sheriff Frank Cousins The Essex County Sheriff's Department provides community services …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the three candidates for the Essex County Sheriff five questions that focused on topics ranging from department operations to overcrowded jails. Here is Question 1: Do you support a regional dispatch operation under control of the Sheriff's Department? If not, why? If so, what would you do to take it from the planning process to reality?   Damian Anketell No, I do not support a regional dispatch operation because I question the accuracy of the alleged "cost savings" the Sheriff's department claims will occur by the development …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for the Congress in the Sixth Congressional District five questions that focused on topics ranging from the economy and the deficit to war and terrorism. Here is Question 5: If the opposing party has a majority in the 112th Congress, how will you work with the other party? John Tierney (D) I have a record of working to find common ground with my Republican colleagues whenever possible in order to improve legislation and conduct effective oversight. I have done so in education legislation, oversight actions …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for the Congress in the Sixth Congressional District five questions that focused on topics ranging from the economy and the deficit to war and terrorism. Here is Question 4: How will you vote regarding repealing the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy with gay military personnel?   John Tierney (D) I support repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." There is evidence of significant support for repeal both in the military community and among the public. While we must ensure that repeal will not impact our strong …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked the two candidates for the Congress in the Sixth Congressional District five questions that focused on topics ranging from the economy and the deficit to war and terrorism. Here is Question 3: How do you think America should proceed in Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism?   John Tierney (D) I have consistently said that a smaller, not larger military footprint in Afghanistan would be the better policy for our troops, our national security, and our country. Evolving our military role in Afghanistan into a sustainable, …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked thetwo candidates for the Congress in the Sixth Congressional District fivequestions that focused on topics ranging from the economy and the deficit to war and terrorism. Here is Question 2: Massachusetts still has an 8 percent unemployment rate. How would you bring jobs to the Bay State?   John Tierney (D) Since January 2009, we have moved from a (-6.4 percent) economic "growth" rate to a positive rate and went from losing 8 million jobs from 2001-2008 to adding private sector jobs over the last nine months. We still have a …

As a way to inform our readers about the candidates, Patch asked thetwo candidates for the Congress in the Sixth Congressional District fivequestions that focused on topics ranging from the economy and the deficit to war and terrorism. Here is Question 1: How would you address our federal budget deficit and national debt? John Tierney (D) The federal government, just like families, must rein in and prioritize spending. Just as $61 billion of tax payer money is going to be saved by eliminating special interest lenders from the college loan process, we need to explore all potential ways to cut …