Showing posts with label Vallee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vallee. Show all posts

Friday, November 10, 2017

"he made a huge difference”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Retired town council member Bob Vallee was recognized by the last remaining selectmen for his 32 years of service to the town. 
Paul DeBaggis and Jim Johnston saw the transition in town government in 1978, where Vallee then took the reins for the next few decades. Before that, Franklin had been under the leadership of a Board of Selectmen for 200 years, since the town’s founding. 
“Jim and I knew what it was like to be selectmen, and most of our service was in the old form of government,” DeBaggis said, standing near the counter at Vallee Jewelers on Thursday afternoon. “We both dabbled a little bit as town councilors, but nowhere near what you did.” 
Johnston presented Vallee with a certificate from the Massachusetts House of Representatives recognizing his past achievements and wishing him luck."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171109/franklin-vallee-recognized-by-remaining-selectmen

Thursday, December 20, 2012

In the News: Site plan, Tri-County award

Former Rep Vallee honored during meeting as well.

Franklin bylaw change planned

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Sep 6 primary falls on a Thursday


The Boston.com website has a piece on the candidates who will be facing off in Sep 6 primary.
Two Democrats and three Republicans are seeking the state representative seat formerly held by James Vallee, who resigned last month. 
In the Sept. 6 primaries, Jeffrey Roy, a member of the Franklin Town Council, and Peter Padula, a criminal defense lawyer, will face off for the Democratic Party’s nomination, while the Republican race will have John Jewell, a member of the Franklin School Committee; lawyer Rich Eustis; and C. Stolle Singleton, who works as a policy adviser to the 33-member House Republican Caucus.
Read the full article here
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2012/07/01/candidates_line_up_for_house_race_five_vie_for_open_house_seat/


Candidate websites

Jeff Roy   http://jeffreyroy.com/

Peter Padula   http://padulaforrep.com/

John Jewell   http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Jewell/381175918591241

Rich Eustis  http://www.facebook.com/RichEustisForStateRepresentative

C Stolle Singleton  http://www.votesingleton.com/

Thursday, June 14, 2012

"those things are done, I’m going to move on"

Rep Jim Vallee just announced that he would be stepping down immediately from his position in the House. He had previously announced he would not run again this November but at the time it seemed he would stay in the role until then. Given the House schedule and Rep Vallee's new opportunity, it does make sense to move on.

“I have a new job, and they want me to work,” Vallee, D-Franklin, said. “I had a job opportunity that started and, you know, they want me to go to work. I had some things I wanted to get accomplished … and I wanted to ensure that the budget was completed. And now that those things are done, I’m going to move on.” 
“It wasn’t a secret: I got a job opportunity. I took it. I served 18 years. My office will be staffed. And there will be someone available to answer the phones and work on constituent issues,” he said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x681113347/State-Rep-Vallee-abruptly-resigns-his-seat#ixzz1xlALtyms

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Jeff Roy running for State Representative


Jeffrey Roy of Franklin, Massachusetts has entered the race for State Representative in the 10th Norfolk District. He is seeking election to the seat that Jim Vallee will be vacating in December. The district includes all of Franklin and precincts 2, 3 and 4 in Medway. 
Roy is an attorney who has maintained a trial practice in Boston for the past 26 years. He is also a member of the Franklin Town Council and served on the Franklin School Committee from 2001 through 2011. He is the current chair of Franklin's Democratic Town Committee. 
"I have considered entering this race for a long time," noted Roy. "When Representative Vallee made his announcement last week to step down, I knew it was my time to step up. It has been an honor and privilege to serve Franklin at the local level, but much work lies ahead at the state level, and I will bring my commitment, dedication and experience to those tasks. 
"Jim Vallee is one of the most honorable public servants I have had the pleasure to know. He has served Franklin admirably and has been a great friend to our community. His assistance with securing a new Franklin High is the most recent of the many ways he has helped build the Franklin/Medway area into one of the most desirable places to live in America. He is a model legislator and has been a helpful advocate on the school and town issues. It would be an honor to succeed him at the State House.” 
Roy grew up in Milford and he and his wife Maureen moved to Franklin in 1986. They have three children -- Alicia (21), Natalie (18), and Jeff Jr (15) -- all of whom were educated in the Franklin Public Schools. 
Roy is a 1986 cum laude graduate of Boston College Law School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. He received his undergraduate degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine in 1983, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Bates Student newspaper. In addition, he received engineering training at Worcester Polytechnic Institute from 1979 to 1981 and one year of legal training at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. 
His entire legal career has been primarily devoted to the representation of injured persons. He specializes in product liability cases, automobile accidents, construction accidents, and other work-related injuries. He has represented clients at all levels of the trial and appellate courts in Massachusetts. In addition, he has appeared in cases before the New Hampshire Supreme Court and Superior Court, the Federal District Courts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the Rhode Island Superior Court, Colorado Superior Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. He was sworn in last year as a member of the United States Supreme Court bar. 
"I am humbled by the outpouring of support I have received from my friends and colleagues about my candidacy," said Roy. "I look forward to engaging in a healthy campaign and demonstrating why I am the best choice to represent the citizens of Franklin and Medway in the next legislature on Beacon Hill. 
"This campaign and election will be about the type of government we want and the type of things we choose to do together as people. If elected, I will be a fierce advocate for Franklin and Medway. My 14 years of service to Franklin demonstrates my commitment to the task at hand and provides a primer on how I will perform as a legislator."

For more information on Roy and the campaign, please visit www.jeffreyroy.com.

Candidates emerge for Vallee’s state rep job

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by Brian Benson/Daily News staff on 4/14/12

Vallee Headshot_High Resolution.jpg
Less than a week after longtime state Rep. James Vallee announced he would not seek re-election, three candidates have emerged to run for the 10th Norfolk District seat.

Franklin Town Councilor Jeffrey Roy, a Democrat, announced his candidacy yesterday. Franklin School Committee member John Jewell and Medway attorney Richard Eustis, both Republicans, said they will also vie for the seat Vallee has held for almost two decades.

Things you can do from here:

Thursday, April 12, 2012

“Another citizen will step up and serve the district"

Rep Jim Vallee surprised some folks yesterday:
The longtime lawmaker announced yesterday he won’t seek re-election for his House seat in the fall. 
“I was a very young guy when I started,” said the Franklin Democrat, first elected in 1994 when he was 27. “Now, I have three little kids.” 
“That really was my driving factor (in resigning),” said Vallee, referring to Lucy, 5, Beatrice, 3, and Sam, 8 months. “I’d like to be able to spend time with them on the weekends and be home at night to be able to read with them.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x403921504/State-Rep-Jim-Vallee-not-seeking-re-election#ixzz1role676x

Rep Vallee has accomplished a whole lot for Franklin and the Commonwealth of MA. He'll be missed.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Franklin Cub Scout Pack Visits State House

Senator Karen Spilka hosted members of Cub Scouts Pack 126 from Franklin today during their visit to the Massachusetts State House.

Upon arriving this afternoon, the Scouts were given an official tour of the State House. Following their tour, they met with Senator Spilka and Representative James Vallee at the Grand Staircase for a group photo.

The Cub Scouts and their chaperones then accompanied Senator Spilka and Representative Vallee to the Senator's office where they enjoyed snacks and a fun conversation with the Senator.

The visit was arranged by Senator Spilka's office with the Cub Scouts.

Cub Scout Roster - Pack 126 of Franklin
-Jamie Blanchard
-Matthew Walker
-Michael O'Brien
-Will Fallon
-Tommy Fallon
-Elijah Tucker
-David jones
-Kevin Armstrong
-Nolan Angliss
-Jeremy Schneider
-Will Henrichon

Den Leaders:
-Regina Armstrong
-John O'Brien
-John Walker
*plus additional family members and chaparones

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

"it’s worth it, given the reimbursement rate"


“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Rep. Vallee’s support on this issue,” said Michael Doherty, chairman of Citizens for New Franklin High School, to which Vallee donated $1,000 yesterday. “He lent us his good name in support.” 
This is the first time Vallee, D-Franklin, has become directly and publicly involved in supporting a Franklin project that would require an override or debt exclusion. 
Of the roughly 90 families who have given to the campaign, Dougherty said, Vallee’s donation was the largest. 
“I just haven’t come out publicly (in the past),” Vallee said. “I just felt like, because this is the high school, and it’s the last school to be rebuilt in the community ... I think it was an important time for me to come out and make a statement about it.”

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1085187211/State-rep-helps-campaign-for-new-Franklin-High-School#ixzz1mRhPrda9

Additional information on the high school project is collected here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2011/12/collection-high-school-building-project.html

and you can also visit the New FHS website here

Thursday, February 9, 2012

"making sure there is a consistent cost approach"


Local lawmakers generally supported DeLeo’s statement about taxes, which was a blow to Gov. Deval Patrick’s plan to raise $260 million by raising a levy on cigarettes, and ending the sales tax exemption on candy and soda. 
“People just can’t afford more taxes, and it’s not the time. It’s never the time in my opinion,” state Rep. Ryan Fattman, R-Sutton, said. 
Rep. James Vallee, D-Franklin, said the message of no new taxes and fees would show voters the state was living within its budget. 
“For us to send a consistent message to the business leaders and our constituents that we are going to live within our means, I think that’s the right message and right approach to balancing our budget,” Vallee said.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1085185387/Local-lawmakers-back-speaker-s-no-new-taxes-pledge#ixzz1lsdf3g2U

Sunday, November 13, 2011

"not all the roads will be taken all at once"



The legislation targets subdivisions built in the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. Those subdivisions are generally not fully up to state standards for town acceptance in areas like curb height or pavement drainage. 
The bill also helps deal with a second issue in accepting streets in those old developments: ownership. Unlike subdivisions built now, where the developer owns the streets before turning them over to the town, the roads are a patchwork of ownership - each person owns the piece of road in front of their house. 
"To accept a road, you had to go through a legal taking for every property owner in the subdivision, so it would have been utterly ridiculous," said Robert Cantoreggi, director of the Public Works Department. 
Vallee said he's been working on the bill, a home rule petition that applies only to Franklin, for five years.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x228647720/State-bill-eases-red-tape#ixzz1daW9hKIc

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Rep. Vallee holds office hours in Franklin, Medway

Sent to you by Steve Sherlock via Google Reader:

via The Milford Daily News News RSS by GateHouse Media, Inc. on 9/12/11

State Rep. James Vallee will hold his monthly local office hours this Friday.

Things you can do from here:

Thursday, March 24, 2011

"You can't stop people from shopping on Memorial Day"

"The attendance is very sparse, and it's sad," Vallee, a former JAG officer who serves in the National Guard, said yesterday at a hearing on legislation that would ban retailers in Massachusetts from opening on Memorial Day. "It saddens me because it is a very important day in our history and our culture." 
The 44-year-old Franklin Democrat said after the hearing that he supports the bill, sponsored by Sen. Michael Knapik, R-Westfield, but is unsure about its prospects on the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee, of which he is co-chairman. 
He's expecting resistance from retailers, who see the ban as likely to boost tax-free holiday sales on the Internet.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/archive/x1840140189/Veterans-legislators-back-ban-on-Memorial-Day-store-sales#ixzz1HVe5bm2o



Franklin, MA

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Live reporting - Rep Vallee, Sen Spilka

a. State Representative Jim Vallee, Senator Karen Spilka

Rep Vallee - The budget is just starting, the presentation was impressive

Sen Spilka - Schools can be very responsive and creative
1st hearing Weds, Senate will work on its in May, House working now


Rep Vallee - the strides made in this community have been tremendous, these have brought so many new folks to the community as well. It is distressing to dismantle something that is doing so well, a portion of your budget is based upon State aid - you are so reliant State aid. School construction is now budgeted with a definite revenue stream after having gone wild several years ago. A challenge for us to continue to contribute to a quality education. The formula is so complicated, only one or two people perhaps know all the ins/outs.

Roy - I am so excited that you had a chance to see that presentation. We are down about 100 teachers but the spirit of the program remains in the system. No matter what adversities arise, they step up to them. I don't know if you can shed some light on what is coming down, we were delighted to see that the Governor's number didn't cut so much.

Sen Spilka - where as the school budget saw an increase in aid, other services (Dept of Mental Health, etc.) are stepping forward to ask for their cause. There may be some shifting around. Local aid and Chap 70 has been a priority for me. This budget will be the toughest budget yet, things will get better after this. We are on the rebound getting out of the recession. We are moving out of the recession faster than other states, rated 5th best state to do business in the nation. For those not employed or under-employed, this means nothing. Creating jobs is our number one priority. What ever we can do, the more jobs we can create, the healthier the revenue will be.

Roy - We are thankful that the two of you have returned to Beacon Hill. We appreciate the fact that you are helping us.

Rep Vallee - certainty is something to have, not something elusive, in our community we have been doing this for a while. State aid can't continue to rise every year, having some certainty we can at least make some plans. I get the calls too! It is hard. It is something I would like to see achieved.

Cafasso - We talk about local aid, it is 54% of our budget, we should be thankful, and we are. Both of you have done well by this district. It is time for the citizens to bear more of the burden for this district. We are very appreciative of your continued support.

Sen Spilka - I have been filing legislation in an attempt to find an alternative source to the property taxes.

Rohrbach - It is a scary position, when state aid goes down, it is a problem for us. How long will it take to adjust the huge cruise ship to a different model/ The circuit breaker is one item if we could close to the Gov's number. We pay about a million dollars for out of district transportation.

Sen Spilka- I did file legislation to help communities like this. All of them geared to reducing the cost of special education.

Glynn - thank you for your efforts. I attended a suburban coalition meeting last week. It is very disheartening to know, what we have been doing via cuts with what we have had and comparison to other towns where they get less state aid.  For something that is a national priority, you can’t expect to finance it via homeowners, that’s a broken financial model. We are talking about hundreds of kids here in Franklin, this effects thousands of kids nationwide.

Updated 2/16/11 via email from Bill Glynn

Rep Vallee - the model that we have, we were sued and lost. So the State passed Ed Reform to address that. The model is not sustainable. We patched the tire instead of fixing the model. There are a lot of people who agree with us. No one has come up with an acceptable solution. When you start contracting budgets, it forces you to look at things. To think outside the box to come up with a solution. We know the formula, we stabilize a country and educate the kids overseas. We need to change it here.

Sen Spilka - I was on the School Committee previously, my first intro to Beacon Hill was lobbying it. We need to get to critical mass. We did make a change five years ago. It was supposed to be on a five year plan. I am not sure aggregate income is the way to go. We did get some predictability from the Dept of Rev. We did make it simpler. It sill is not fully simple. The piece that eluded us is adequacy. The constitution mandates it but the definition of adequacy has changed. There are so many factors. The Dept of Ed is undertaking an adequacy study now. Hopefully by this summer, we'll have some results. What should be built into the funding formula. That I am hoping will be a springboard for the next round of ed reform.

Glynn - adequacy can not lie in the eyes of the beholder



Franklin, MA