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Evangelidis, Kaplan square off for state rep. seat
That is the question the two men running to represent Westminster and the rest of the 1st Worcester District are asking voters to decide. Republican incumbent Lew Evangelidis argues he has worked hard for the district that includes Westminster, Holden, Hubbardston,Princeton, Rutland, Oakham and part of Sterling. "We got a record percent increase in local aid," Evangelidis said of the last budget cycle. The two-term state representative is being challenged by Nate Kaplan, a Democrat from Hubbardston in the Tuesday, Nov. 7 election. Kaplan the chairman of his hometown's Democratic Town Committee, said Evangelidis has not brought enough money into the district over the last few years. "Property taxes are out of control," Kaplan said. "We need to get more local and state aid into our district." Kaplan said Evangelidis' claim to have brought in record amounts of aid isn't painting an accurate picture because it is only higher in relation to the cuts in previous years. Kaplan also says that the fact that Evangelidis won't fight for earmark budget items means the district is getting less money then it should.
Both men see the position as a way to help residents. "It's really a job that can help people," Evangelidis said. "It is the level you really deal with people and help them directly." Kaplan worked for state Sen. Stephen Brewer. "He's been a role model sense the beginning," he said. "He taught me that everybody gets a call back in 24 hours." The 25-year-old says his age should not be a deterrent for voters because he is able to commit large amounts of time and energy into the job. Kaplan said he would be willing to put in 16 to 18 hour days if need be. "It's the perfect position for a single guy," he said. "I don't have any family commitments." Kaplan worked for the Massachusetts trial courts as a probation officer before taking a level of absence to run for the representative's seat. He argues that Evangelidis hasn't given the time commitment he should to the position. "I think it is essential to have a full-tie state representative," he said. Evangelidis argues against Kaplan's claim. "I have a 99.9 percent voting record," he said. "I have regular office hours (in towns). I couldn't imagine giving any more time." He said that his goal is to spend the time in the district and not in Boston at the State House. Evangelidis is married with two children. "When it comes to public education I get it because I see it everyday," he said. One of the things the Evangelidis is proud of is the work he did to help get reimbursement from the state School Building Authority for the Overlook Middle School Building project. Evangelidis said the goal now is to help Westminster - the second largest town in the district - grow in the way residents want it to. "It has a nice history but it's growing," he said. In the priorities for the town, he knows that funding regional transportation for the school district is key. Bus funding was cut for many years. "I think we've made (other legislators) aware how unconscionable that decision was," he said. He said he has also advocated to ensure that all the money from the lottery is returned to the towns as state aid. He said he's been a strong supporter of Melaine's Law - which reformed the drunk driving laws. "I'm standing up for what's right," he said. Evangelidis is a practicing lawyer but said that his workload has been reduced by three-quarters since being elected and that when he is working it is out of the firm's Worcester offices. "I don't have to worry about making my living in that State House," he said. Evangelidis said that one of the benefits of having a Republican in the seat is the large number of committees he gets to sit on. He is a member of the Ways and Means Committee and the Central Massachusetts Chairman of the Regional School Committee. "I work well on both sides of the aisle," he said. Kaplan said he won't get too wrapped up in the party politics. "I'll never forget who got me into office," he said. The men agree on the need to help the environment but they differ on their proposals. Evangelidis said he would like to see sales tax credits go to people who buy energy efficient appliances, hybrid vehicles and other goods. Kaplan said he would like to see increased forms of renewable energy be pushed by the state and local governments. "It's the state government that needs to take the lead," he said. He said there 119 towns in the commonwealth that can support wind farms including half of the towns in the district. Kaplan said he would also like to see an increased focus on physical education in the schools. The issue is important because of the increasing rates of obesity and heart disease, he said. "We need to bring more money in (to school districts)," he said. He said it is "worthless" to have a healthy mind if kids bodies are not healthy as well. Kaplan said he also wants people to realize he is a supporter of the rights of gun owners.
"It would be an honor to have this position," Kaplan said. "We need to reconnect our district with Beacon Hill." |
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