Saugus.net

2000 Questions to the State Representative Candidates



Questions to the Candidates

On this page you'll find the answers provided by candidates in the 2000 local state representative election to the questions posed by readers of Saugus.net. Remember that candidates are not required to participate at all or answer any particular questions. Remember also that these answers are directly provided by the candidates themselves do not reflect Saugus.net's official standing in any matter. If you are a candidate yourself and would like to participate, be sure to see the candidates' information page.

The questions themselves were:

  1. What are your thoughts on trash disposal?
  2. What are your feelings concerning the preservation of open space?
  3. Do you have any thoughts regarding the regional school systems?

and a freebee question:

  1. What else do you think is important?


The Answers

Answers from Chris Ciampa, Jr.

Did not participate -- was eliminated in the primary.

Answers from Patricia A. Cuddemi

Political Web Page: None

E-mail Address:

Town: Saugus   Precinct: 6

Current Positions Held / Political Experience

Second term elected member of Veterans Memorial School Council, and second year PTO Treasurer. I am a member of the Saugus Republican Town Committee, the Health Education Task Force and had served on the School Committee's ad-hoc kindergarten study

Current Occupation / Work Experience

I am a working mother (all mothers are working mothers) as a registered dental hygienist. I was the Dental Hygienist at Hogan Regional Center, implementing a comprehensive program servicing the disabled population. Currently, providing Dental Awareness Program for Saugus Schools.

Degrees Held / Education

Associayes in Science Degree- Cape Cod Community College 1976 Continuoing Education Credits 1976 to present Mt. Saint Joseph Academy Graduate-1974 -1996 recipient of "Women of Excellence Award"

Currently A Member Of...

What are your thoughts on trash disposal?

In a household with six people, it is a reality that recycling twice a month is simply not enough. As a member of the medical community, I follow strict regulations as to the disposal of contaminated waste. We should expect no less from the communities that RESCO serves. As your State Legislator, I will demand improved recycling efforts in these communities, especially our own. It is also imperative that a State Master Plan be developed and implemented as soon as possible. It is one step towards an environmentally responsible action that positively affects all citizens in our district and beyond.

What are your feelings concerning the preservation of open space?

The open space issue, and the Community Preservation Act, are particularly important during an economy that favors development. True not only in district, but throughout the Commonwealth, As a legislator, one must not arbitrarily assign regulations without intensely coordinating efforts with individual municipalities, and existing boards such as the conservation commission and planing board. Governor Cellucci has signed into law a Community Preservation Act, tackling some of these volatile concerns. One must address both fiscal and physical responsibilities of such laws. Of course I favor maintaining open space for our district, and will pursue such as your legislator.

Do you have any thoughts regarding the regional school systems?

The school systems of our district are at a crossroad of physical and academic capacity. As a parent of two children in the Saugus system, I am ardently aware of these challenges. My mission is two fold in realizing the goals to provide all children with the optimum educational outcome. We must work together as parents, administrators, School Committees and citizens to provide our most precious commodities with a system that is physically safe, academically efficient, and fiscally sound. As a State Legislator, I will have the tools to do just that.

What else do you think is important?

My platform from the inception of my campaign, and my decision to run, has always been based on the People's priorities. Education, Taxes, and Senior Care are at the forefront of my determination to bring you, the citizens of this district, the best representation of your goals. It is my intent to be the most accessible Representative for all that you feel is important. My life lessons have served me well, and I will bring vision, integrity, and leadership as your State Representative.


Answers from Al DiNardo

Political Web Page: http://www.aldinardo.com

E-mail Address:

Town: Saugus   Precinct: 4

Current Positions Held / Political Experience

In 1989 I was elected to saugus town meeting from Precinct 8 and was appointed to Tree Committee in the spring of 1999. In November 1999 I was elected from my new home in Precint 4.

Current Occupation / Work Experience

While attending collage fifteen years ago I started a landscaping business part-time and it has grown today that I now have five people involved full-time with the business and retail shop.

Degrees Held / Education

I atended Saugus public schools and graduated from Essex Agricultural High school in 1984, Later that year I attended Salem State Collage and majored in economics for one year. The following year I attended Essex Agricultural Collage and received an Associates Degree in Horticulture while building a business

Currently A Member Of...

Tree committee, Knights of Columbus, Town meeting

What are your thoughts on trash disposal?

I had expressed my feelings on Resco in a recent letter in the paper, that letter can be veiwed @www.aldinardo.com. I belive we need a real master plan for trash. no one community like Saugus should carry the entire burden, Mant communities should share in trash problem. Without a real plan, it will be at what price.

What are your feelings concerning the preservation of open space?

I recently voted in Town meeting that all hotel/motel taxes collected over $190,000 will be put into the land asquisition fund. we need to build up this fund. The town puts only $15,000 a year into this fund. Also I supported that tax payers in saugus can donate via tax bills to add to this fund.

Do you have any thoughts regarding the regional school systems?

Not only should students learn a trade but I belive learning about small business would help those who choose to be self employed it is a goal of most people.

What else do you think is important?

For my entire life I have lived and worked in Saugus, and for more than 10 years I have served in Town meeting as an independent voice. I belive we need more independent people involed with public service. Many people feel as I do, that they are tired of party politics. I hope to be a strong independent voice inorder to express a true opion. This is what I belive we need today in public service.


Answers from Mark Falzone

Political Web Page: http://www.falzone.org

E-mail Address:

Town: Saugus   Precinct: 9

Current Positions Held / Political Experience

Mark has been a member of Town Meeting since 1993 and has been the chairman of the Saugus Democratic Town Committee since 1996. Mark was also Essex County Coordinator for the Massachusetts Democratic Party in 1998, electing Democrats to office.

Current Occupation / Work Experience

Mark owns his own computer consulting business and teaches Advanced Network Operating System Engineering. He is a Department of Education certified teacher, Certified Technical Trainer, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Microsoft Certified Professional + Internet, A+ and Network+ Certified.

Degrees Held / Education

Mark was raised in Saugus, and attended Saugus Public Schools from kindergarten through high school. After graduating from Saugus High School with honors, he went on to get a B.A. in Political Science and Communication from Boston College.

Currently A Member Of...

Mark is a board member of the Saugus Business Education Collaborative and is a member of the Saugus River Watershed Council, Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment, Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Breakheart Reservation, and the North Shore Computer Society.

What are your thoughts on trash disposal?

The first issue with trash disposal is that we need to have as little trash to dispose of as possible. Recycling needs to take place every week, as does trash collection, The big issue in Saugus is not our own garbage. it is the efforts to burn the refuse from other cities and towns here. As the state representative for Saugus, Lynn, and Lynnfield, I will fight to make sure that other cities and towns in the Boston area have effective recycling programs and do their fair share to dispose of the region's trash in an environmentally intelligent way.

What are your feelings concerning the preservation of open space?

Preserving open space is a high priority for me and, as I have learned by walking around this district for the last several months, the voters of this district. Earlier this year, the governor had a chance to sign a compromise Community Preservation Act that would have provided matching funds to allow local communities to set up land banks. The funding mechanisms in the bill were so reasonable that it enjoyed the support of the business community as well as the environmental community. My first priority as a new legislator would be to pass a new Community Preservation Act.

Do you have any thoughts regarding the regional school systems?

The schools of Saugus, Lynn, and Lynnfield have a lot to be proud of but they also face significant challenges. Many classes are too large and many of the buildings are overcrowded. The state could do far more to help cities and towns build new schools and hire additional teachers. Massachusetts also needs to devote more resources to making early childhood education accessible to all families. I attended Saugus schools from kindergarten through high school and my commitment on this issue has already been recognized by endorsements from both the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the Massachusetts Federation of Teachers.

What else do you think is important?

The high and rising cost of health care is a key issue for people across the state. A greedy pharmaceutical industry, often charging far more in this country than they do abroad, has priced many prescription drugs outside the reach of many people. Senior citizens, typically living on a fixed income, are in a precarious situation when they wind up needing one or more expensive drugs. Even with the legislature's recent progress, we still need to find ways to bring down the costs of prescription drugs. A buying consortium of all the New England states is one promising possibility.