Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Take a look: Video from Saturday's forum

For those of you who missed Saturday's candidates' forum -- or those who would like to review the event -- here are links to the opening and closing statements and the questions and responses from the foursome vying for East Boston's open House seat in the state legislature:

Opening statements: Carlo Basile, Mary Berninger, Jeff Drago, and Gloribell Mota.

Questions and responses: public safety, Brandywyne Village, in-state tuition for immigrants, rent control, death penalty, Suffolk Downs, Eastie as a tourist destination, after-school programs, same-day voter registration, waterfront development, and state tax rollback.

Closing statements: Gloribell Mota, Jeff Drago, Mary Berninger, and Carlo Basile.

The video links came to me courtesy of Chris Coletta, and I'd like to thank him.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW! Did Carlo really read the SAME EXACT thing that was in the East Boston Times for his opening statement???? Really pathetic. I don't know who Jeff Drago even is, but I'm sold on his opening speech alone. Very impressive vocabulary and extremely in tune with the issues.

Anonymous said...

I have some oceanfront property in Idaho too, would you like to buy some of that too. You were impressed with what? Oh I get it, you really enjoyed the scripted responses from the Mayor's office. Aren't you sick of the same ole thing. can't you see if you even dream of voting for Drago, we'll never see the light of day. Please, Motta is the candidate for this community. She has all we need to bring us into the future.

Anonymous said...

Its a good thing we can see the debate for ourselves on the video. Because the East Boston Times wrote a story as if they werent at the same debate. I think it should be renamed the Menino-Drago Free Press. Since Mr. Boston, aka Mr. Resnek, is known to spend so much time with Mayor Menino we can't expect him to be unbiased in this column. Calling Basile's supporters Hessians was over the top for someone who should remain unbiased, at least in public. Hessians were mercenaries so I guess Mr. Albano might have thought about joining the Hessians too. Remember that mercenaries serve for pay or reward. Mr. Menino is the paymaster, there's the connection. Let's be honest. The EB Times picked its candidate a long time ago. But they try to tell everyone on the street that they don't have a horse in the race. If we believe that, then we should believe the Mayor when he says he'll work on the litter problem here. That's in the EB Times today too. Joe Mason or anyone needs to start another paper for this town soon.

Anonymous said...

I don't want to hear another word about whose responses were "scripted" ... Every single candidate had prepared words to read.

But Drago was so impressive in making the speeches up there. Drago's opening statement was the best hands down.

I was very disappointed with Basile and his performance at the debate. I just can't see him up on Beacon Hill with him making speeches and cutting deals while reading verbatim from a paper. When you're in that chamber, you're one of 140 reps, and we need to send to Beacon Hill the person who's gonna know what they're talking about, have the right stances, and who's gonna act like they have a pair! (metaphorically speaking, ladies included) I'm sold on Drago

Anonymous said...

Jeff Drago has been coached! Basile is the MAN! What class that guy has

Anonymous said...

Brady v. Bledsoe. That's what this campaign reminds me of. One guy (Bledsoe aka Drago) thinks he should win because he's the front runner and has the great arm (Menino, Trav, etc). However, it's the other guy (Brady aka Basile) that will come out on top in the end because he's hungrier, better looking, and is increasingly building a reputation of keeping his cool under pressure.

Anonymous said...

I like Beringer and Drago's responses to the Eastie tourism questions. Good ideas, especially Drago's shuttle to spectacle island idea. I agree with Mota that any economic development should invest in the community, but where are the ideas? Basile said basically nothing new.

Anonymous said...

In addition to Chris Coletta's outstanding job of linking residents to last Saturday's forum, viewers will be able to watch the forum on local access cable television at the following times:

Wednesday, 9//12 @5:30 on Channel 23
Thursday, 9/13 @11:00 on Channel 23
Friday, 9/14 @1:30 and 7:30 on Channel 9
Saturday, 9/15 @9:00 on Channel 9

Thank you, again, to all the organizers, facilitators, moderators, audience members and my fellow candidates for such an enjoyable and informative event. Please, remember to vote on September 25.

Sincerely,
Mary Berninger
Democratic Candidate for State Representative

Anonymous said...

It's RAGE againts THE MACHINE
Carlo Basile's speach and answers to Mr Resnik's questions did not matter,
because like it or leave it, he's got a strong back of support from East Boston's residents,Eastie resident's who are sick and tired of the same'ole same'ole" The Orient Heights Political crime family made up of Travaglini as the head of the group on down is Nucci to sal and nucci's right hand man Petruzzelli and now they think dago will take over.

Anonymous said...

Carlo does not want negative attacks. He appreciates all the support but he does not want to attack other poilticians. That being said I think you are a Drago supporter trying to make it look like Carlo is attacking other politicians. Just in case you are on Carlo's side please stop being negative.

Anonymous said...

Nice try! Your trying to seem that Basile's supporters are attacking the other politicians. Nice try but Basile gets along with everyone!
Grow up people

Anonymous said...

In response to:
Anonymous said...

It's RAGE againts THE MACHINE
Carlo Basile's speach and answers to Mr Resnik's questions did not matter,
because like it or leave it, he's got a strong back of support from East Boston's residents,Eastie resident's who are sick and tired of the same'ole same'ole" The Orient Heights Political crime family made up of Travaglini as the head of the group on down is Nucci to sal and nucci's right hand man Petruzzelli and now they think dago will take over.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS COMMENT???? Jimbo you should be ashamed to have even allowed this on your blog. You are obviously brainwashed by the nonsense that has been spewed all over East Boston by the Basile camp.

Anonymous said...

Sickened: Go ask John Nucci if he was first for Carlo and then switched to Jeff. Why was that?

Anonymous said...

Love the notion of the "Orient Heighs Political Crime Family."

Anonymous said...

Nucci is a great guy and trust me, he remembers who stood with him back in 1990 when Jeff couldn't even vote.
Also, Tony Cannata is watching over someone!

Anonymous said...

All public elected political figures that received votes from hard working people of East Boston past or present, can no longer be trusted any more, these politician's close family members are priviliged to have one of the highest paying state jobs or massport contracts, as seen over the years in local newspaper reports, Is that like stealing folks.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jimbo,

Here's an interesting item related to the debate. I learned that during last night's Piers Pac meeting at Maverick, Roseland proposed a revision on to the Pier 1 development plan that would eliminate building on the pier. Instead, they propose that buildings 5,6 and 7, which are slated to be built on Marginal St. - have 13+ stories, instead of the originally decided 7 stories.

The rationale behind their proposal is that the act of restoring the pier would not be "cost effective". They would rather build a high-cost, luxury, wall around East Boston than restore the pier. The reason for adding the floors, is to make up for revenues that would be lost from not building on the pier.

So - here's where this relates to the forum: Jeff Drago, who pledged during a forum response to "hold Roseland's feet to the fire" was in attendance at the meeting, but left without addressing the proposal.

Jeff - what happened?

Anonymous said...

I see, Jeff was at meeting for Roseland and never spoke. Carlo, Mary and Gloribell were at the Orients Heights meeting trying to find out why the city dropped the ball on the neighbors being harrassed by Tequilas restaurant. Jeff, don't you work for the city, in business development? Once they are in business do you forget about their responsibility to be good business neighbors? Ask the Mayor what you should have done. Shameful.

Anonymous said...

I heard the welfare building on maverick st was bought by the wampunog tribe, there in talks with the city, they are going to turn the welfare building into a state of the art casino, first guest appearance will be wayne newton

Anonymous said...

Dear Carlo, dating years back when i was on the outside looking in some people would say etc...i never listened and i never will. since your election you made me PROUD of what you are doing for this community...now i have gotten to know you better working with you on your campaign. i feel now that we have a stronger relationship and a very respectful one... So keep your head up and be proud because you are the right MAN for the job.