West of 495
Editorial

Gov. Deval Patrick said something at the beginning of a press conference in Fitchburg last Wednesday that struck a cord. He said when he visits towns outside of I-495 - meaning the central and western part of the state - "there is appreciation that you show up."

He's right there.

In 2006, there were more than an estimated 6.4 million people living in the Commonwealth, according U.S. Census Bureau. Nearly, 1.7 million of us live in Worcester County or west.

It used to be that politicians only heard the voices of those "Inside 128" now the new belt seems to be "East of 495."

But should our vote count less in a state election because of our zip code?

No.

The residents of Ashburnham and Westminster are lucky because a very active group of Legislators lobbying on their behalf. But residents should not simply be pleased with that representation.

Residents throughout the central and western part of the state, need to demand that the state officials get out and visit these communities. They need to know the effects of their policies on the smaller towns in that state.

It's great that Patrick visited Fitchburg, but next time let him walk through Ashburnham or Westminster, both of which are struggling with foreclosures, a lack of industrial growth and working to preserve the character of the old New England town while growing into larger ones.

These communities have separate issues from their counterpart parts in the eastern part of the state. These towns have to focus more on new residential developments, preservation of open and agricultural space as well as smaller budgets that need to do as much as their larger counter parts.

But no politician is going to understand that unless they visit these communities.

We need to demand that the voices of the nearly 2 million people living in counties entirely west of 495 are heard. We should not just "appreciate that you show up outside of 495."