Can an 18 year-old still in High School Contribute Substance to City Council

[ricknkim]

I have been following the Ward 1 race for City Council and am less than impressed with the 2 choices. After reading a recent article in the SC, I started to seriously wonder what exactly Mr. Lazzerini could contribute to the city council in a time when effective leadership and creative problem solving are required to keep our city moving forward and out of a rut. I've read the articles, heard Mr. L's claims/thoughts and I am quite doubtful he has enough skill and life experiences to serve in any meaningful way at this stage of his life. Does anyone have an opposing view? If so, can you provide details on exactly what I'm missing in my "unqualified" presumption of the young man?

[DeMiatafan]

as a member of the Republican city committee......you are full of it sir........

Joe L is a much better person that that teabagger Felos

[ricknkim]

Sorry "sir", but I am not a member of any city committee, nor of any political affiliation. I vote for the candidate and issue, not the political party. I'd suggest you use facts and proper language to debate issues rather than imbacilic terms like "teabagger", speaks volumes of your character when you do such things. Perhaps you should look in the mirror before casting judgement on others?

Please provide specific qualifications Joe has that will assist him in leading our city as a council member? What has he accomplished and what life lessons has he learned in his 18 years of life that qualifies him for such an important role?

[Joseph Lazzerini]

Dear "ricknkim,"
Please e-mail me at [e-mail] and I would be happy to share with you my qualifications why I believe I will be the most effective leader for Ward 1 City Council. I don't think the newspaper does a good job at attesting to both candidates qualifications and community achievements. I look forward to speaking with you.

Thanks,
Joe Lazzerini
[phone]

[ricknkim]

I will certainly drop you an e-mail Joe, I appreciate your time and commend your effort. I agree that the paper sometimes struggles with their coverage, but overall I think they provide an independent view on most issues. In the meantime, may I suggest you post those qualifications and achievements here in a public forum so all potential voters can have them available come voting time? Good luck on the election and beyond.

[Joseph Lazzerini]

Hi Rick,
Since a young age I have been involved in the community and doing what I can to make our community a better place for all of us. For the record, as I have been campaigning I have made everything available to everyone and I have always been truthful about my campaign and my stances on the issues facing our city. It's important to fight for the residents in our city and I am willing and able to do that.

~ I am a Private in the United States Army Reserves
~ Attended the Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at Alfred University in NYC in the summer of 2008.
~ I founded a non-profit organization when I was 12, set-up and managed our budget of several thousand dollars.
~ Organized clean-ups in South Attleboro to make our community a better place.
~ I am a Certified Peer Mediator which will be a great benefit as a City Councilor and will help me to solve conflicts and issues on the City Council.
~ I was appointed in 2008 to the Attleboro Energy Fund by the Council on Aging director.
~ Volunteered, Arc of Northern Bristol County for over three years and helped developmentally disabled students produce two production.
~ Raised an upwards of $10,000 for Hasbro Children's Hospital
~ Received various community awards and recognitions for my efforts.

Let me know if this is in whole or in part of what you are looking for. I would love to elaborate.

All my best,
Joe Lazzerini

[ricknkim]

Sounds like you have been a quite involved young man and that you also believe in community service. That is great to know and admirable. My biggest concern is that you haven't had any business experience where you faced important decisions that had serious ramifications on people, managed small to large groups amid adversity or have any technical skill-set that could benefit the council on day 1. I have a few questions I hope you can answer:

1) Of those things you listed or others you may have ommitted, what qualifies you to review all of the operations of the ARA and decide on funding, future projects, requested variances and the like surrounding the controversial organization?

2) When it comes to appropriating funds to projects and mayor requests, what budgetary responsibility have you had beyond several thousand dollars for your non-profit? What was the non-profit and what did it do? Does it still operate and if not, why not?

3) How would you have voted on the recent proposal to increase the death benefit for the city water department worker and why?

4) Have you ever been involved in a decision that meant someone would lose their job?

5) Do you support the use of only police officers for detail work or do you support using both officers and civilian flaggers?

6) What is your MOS/job in the Army reserves? Why did you choose reaserves over active duty? Why the Army over the other branches?

Thanks for your time.

[Joseph Lazzerini]

Dear Rick and Kim,

Thank you for your questions as we approach this important election for ward 1 City Councilor.

First, let me say that if your criteria is to only select a candidate that has proven experience in the areas you identify, than I am probably not your candidate. As an 18 year old, I have tried to stay abreast of the issues that face our community; after all, I have a vested interest. I also believe that a City Council that represents 11 different perspectives gives the voters the broadest view of the city, as a whole. As I said, I have made every attempt to understand the issues, form educated opinions, and listen to people who represent both sides of complex issues. Regarding your issues, here is how I would come down on them:

I started Kids are people Too!, which raised money for cancer research and did various other volunteer work in the community. We had a budget and a revenue plan and also a board of directors. Granted, they were not of the same magnitude of the city budget, but the fundamentals are the same. More recently, I developed a campaign plan that involved fundraising and spending funds for various campaign events. I raised the money I needed, and executed the plan. Again, this demonstrates that I understand basic budgeting concepts.

The ARA is a difficult issue. It appears to me that the complex job of executing the Urban Renewal Plan by the ARA was greatly mishandled, as several reports have shown they are insolvent. From my perspective, we need to develop additional properties to bring in businesses that will pay their fair share of taxes, and help defray the costs that homeowners have to pay. I was happy to see the Mayor take over the project, and am glad to see that he has landed a fish processing plant that will locate there. I think we need to do all we can to help this project be successful. Without over extending contributions by taxpayers.

Regarding budget items that would be submitted by the mayor, I will evaluate each one as it comes down, and determine whether I believe it is in the best interest of our ward and the city.

Regarding the vote on increasing the death benefit for the daughter of Jeffrey Burgess, I would have voted no. I think Councilor Blais put all of his colleagues on the hot seat by bringing in this business. One of the problems that government has is the perception that they enjoy benefits greater than that of the general public. I think the current benefit for the Burgess family is adequate, and would have voted to keep it. Certainly, having all the city workers in the audience in the middle of an election had an effect, which is probably why the age was reduced from 27 to 23, but ultimately I would have voted no.

I cannot say I have had to take a vote that would cost someone their job. It is not a vote I would take lightly, but when the budget is voted on next year, in light of another difficult financial year, I expect my vote could well affect some employees employment. I can only tell you that it will reflect a balance of what the taxpayers need in terms of service, balanced against the finances available. I know several people who have lost their jobs, and have personally seen the turmoil it causes. I was a front-end manager of a restaurant in North Attleboro before it closed in July - In May the owner told me I needed to cut back on staff in the front of the house and the bar. In stead of laying off workers, I cut back hours and kept all of the employees which resulted in keeping the owner happy and keeping all my our employees happy. Due to the economic recession the restaurant closed in July. However, it has since been sold and is planning to be re-opened soon under new management. I think this shows a since of compassion for workers and I will do everything I can as a City Councilor to make sure we don't lay off workers unless we absolutely have to.

I believe on main streets that Police Officers represent the best safety choice. Having said that, their are some jobs done on less traveled side streets that I believe could be accomplished by civilian flaggers, without a loss of safety.

I joined the Army reserves because I wanted to serve my country, and have the opportunity to go to college under the GI Bill. MY MOS is 42A (Human Resource Specialist). I am not subject to deployment until I finish college and my unit is fortunately a Brigade HQ and our brigade does not deploy because of our specific mission in Military Intelligence.

Hopefully, this answers your questions.

Respectfully,
Joe Lazzerini

[ricknkim]

Thank you for your detailed response Joe, much appreciated. Some of your answers surprised me (in a good way). I am not ready to support you, but I think some of my opinions have been made into misconceptions. Good luck in your election efforts.

[Joseph Lazzerini]

Hi Rick and Kim,
Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed my answers. I would appreciate your vote and positive blogging on my behalf. I believe that you are not the only person who's opinions have been made into misconceptions. Again, thanks for reading and blogging.

Respectfully,
Joe Lazzerini

[ricknkim]

Well, I must admit - you are a more credible candidate that I first thought. Although I did not vote for you this time, I did change many of my opinions about you regarding becoming a councilor. Take the next 2 years to gain some experience and I bet you could make a big impact on future elections. Good job on your campaign and you were classy in your defeat.

[Joseph Lazzerini]

Rick and Kim,
Thanks so much for your honest words. We ran a great campaign and we always focused on meeting voters and talking about the issues facing Attleboro. I am going to stay involved and gain more experience and I am confident that if the time is right and it will be good for the people of Attleboro ... I will most certainly run again. Thanks again!

All my best,
Joe Lazzerini

[Norm]

Mr. Lazzerini, I think it is great that young people like yourself want to get involved in city politics. I hope you realize what you are in for. Politics is a tough game even on the city level. There will be name calling, innuendo, etc. It''s all fair game. You have to develop a tough skin, but if you can hang in there, the rewards are just as great. Just ask our honorable Mayor. He was a young man who took on a career mayor and won! He is still a young man and is doing a great job. If you do win, I wish you much success. Also, thank you for your service to our country. Norm DeBlois