Attleboro Councilor Seeks State Senate Seat
Sara-Lynn Reynolds will run in 2014 for the seat occupied by Sen. Richard Ross.
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Since winning a special election in 2010 to succeed Scott Brown as state senator of a district that includes a portion of Attleboro, Republican Richard Ross has had his term renewed twice with no opposition. This will not be repeated in 2014 because at least one other person would like to represent the Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex District. Attleboro City Councilor Sara-Lynn Reynolds, who two weeks ago changed her voter registration status from independent to Democratic, said Tuesday that she will run in the election.
Reynolds stressed she has not made a formal announcement, but there were rumors about her interest in being a Senate candidate, and she confirmed they were true when contacted by Patch. She will not run for a second term as an at-large councilor because "I believe it is unfair to constituents to run for two offices simultaneously," Reynolds wrote in an email to Attleboro Patch.
Calling herself a fiscal conservative who is liberal on social issues, Reynolds wrote that as a state senator she would be a voice for middle America.
"These last five years have been difficult for many Americans," she wrote. "A troubled economy has left many scrambling to hang onto their homes and jobs. Others have experienced divorce and illness. Having not been immune to any of the above, I can state that I too know how most of the middle class is feeling."
In a memo, which is attached to this article, she wrote she supports the following:
- Allowing each healthcare applicant to access the system with a single point of contact, reassuring them they will need to tell their story just once and not multiple times, enhancing the chance of a speedy solution
- Funding needed for education, including secondary, K-12, alternative and vocational as well as school-to-career partnerships and retraining for seniors and/or those that have graduated with skills that need updating to compete in today's job market.
- Removing unnecessary regulation that hampers private business from entering or staying in Massachusetts.
- Incentives for business that want to locate to Massachusetts
- Encouraging stronger sanctions against businesses that fail to keep their promises of creating new jobs.
She added that "more women in elective office would better represent the residents of this state."
The Senate district includes Attleboro Wards 1, 2 and 3A; North Attleboro; Franklin Precincts 1-4 and 7; Millis; Needham Precincts A, C, I and J; Norfolk; Plainville; Wellesley Precincts B, F and G; Wrentham; Natick Precincts 6, 7, 9 and 10; Sherborn and Wayland. Ross lives in Wrentham.
Jerry Chase
10:28 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
It's "Democrat", not "Democratic".
Charlie Adler
11:45 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Jerry knows better. We've had this discussion before. He just likes to cause trouble.
http://attleboro.patch.com/blog_posts/the-attleboro-democracy-striving-for-better-public-debate
Jonathan Friedman
10:35 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
For a deeper understanding of Jerry's post, I refer to Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democrat_Party_(epithet)
Jerry Chase
12:39 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Charlie and I will politely agree to disagree on said point . . . though I do not comprehend why he would object, 'cause the correct term is not a perjorative term, or an epithet. And Wikipedia is hardly an oracle from a deity.
Jonathan Friedman
7:43 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
One shouldn't reference Wikipedia in a news article or piece of academic work, but within a discussion, I have no problem with citing a Wikipedia page that includes references. Anyhow, I choose the word "Democratic" purely for grammatical reasons. "Democrat" is not an adjective.
Charlie Adler
11:51 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
It is not a question of grammar. In civil society, a person should be granted enough respect to be called by their chosen name, and so should a political party. But if Jerry wants to exercise his First Amendment right to falsely call the Democratic Party the "Democrat Party" in a public forum, thereby annoying local Democrats, that is his choice. If he has a specific disagreement with the Democratic Party, I would rather hear that.
Jonathan Friedman
7:19 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Charlie, it might not be about grammar to you. However, for many people it is. "Democrat" is not an adjective. You are correct there is a history to this issue, and it is detailed in the Wikipedia entry (which also mentions the grammar issue).
Bill K.
8:54 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
SJR has 2 chances to win the senate seat, Slim & None
Darren Major
3:08 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
As a staunch liberal who caucuses w/ Democrats - it's good have a race - Betty & Richard basically are huge ZEROES for the area - pink slip time just like it was with Ross - put their record to the light and see the nothings they are - this area deserves so much better than voting GOP just because - they offer nothing so send them both home permanently
Roxanne Houghton
9:51 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Sara-Lynn Reynolds is the real-deal. She is a well educated woman that sincerely cares about people. She has lived and struggled in the real wiorld - unlike many of our super wealthy political leaders of today, who know nothing about how the average person lives. I am wishing her well and admire her "get up and go spunk". It is easy to sit back and complain about our present state of affairs,but it takes a special person to actually "put themself out there" and try to do something about it. Good luck, Sara-Lynn - wishing you the best!!!!
Bill K.
11:59 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
My reasoning is that SJR is in the 2nd year of her first term as a council member. She is an unknown outside the city.
Darren Major
3:12 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
Betty and Richard don't show up on the radar either except here - any candidate should hit hard on accomplishments (none with both of them) then offer a plan for delivering for the area - last GOP candidate with a tiny record of accomplishment was Lepper - not a fan here but he did have something - now we have NOTHING - fire em both!
Jerry Chase
12:35 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I wish her well, though I do think that she'd be in for a difficult contest. It would not be wise to under-estimate Sara-Lynn; as Roxanne says, "she's the real deal". She has impressed many locally.
Gretchen Robinson
2:57 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I think she has impressive credentials and the personal qualities that make a good leader. Lots of talent there, too. And caring!
Henry
5:37 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Just wondering what the above comment would be if the article read:
"Sara-Lynn Reynolds, who two weeks ago changed her voter registration status from independent to Republican" .....guess we will never know............
George Glass
10:22 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
now that's funny!
Darren Major
3:13 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
She's a step up by just joing the race - I feel her passion might show her to victory in a area with a fed-up electorate starving for better leaders
Bill K.
3:00 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I would like to see her record of introduction of new items & motions for the council's consideration, and the said resultant. An effective legislator must be pro-actively working at all times for their constituency.
Jerry Chase
4:37 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Sara-Lynn has repeatedly demonstrated her comprehension of the issues which come before the Council; and she speaks well from careful contemplation of them. She has the courage to critique "conventional wisdom", and hold fast to her beliefs. This behavior IS, frankly, "working at all times for her constituency." The City needs more councilors like her, which weigh the merits of presented items . . . rather than the style of some who put personal loyalties above the merits of an issue.
Darren Major
3:16 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
I never agree w/ Jerry but that was fair and pleasant - seems she makes a bi-partisan appeal possibly - maybe she will get a fair hearing in her quest for the ob
Bill K.
9:44 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Jerry. That is all well said & done, but your description IS frankly, your opinion and not fact. As someone who has observed SJR during her ternure on the council, I am not as impressed as you are.
SJR seems unfamilar with procedural protocol and practices and needs to be reminded of these on a regular basis, especially as chair of personnel & human services. Watch the tapes of her sub-committee meetings, you will see what I mean.
So I ask again, specifically SJR's record of introducing new business or motions for the council's consideration and the resultant. These factors can be evaluated quantitatively and not qualitatively.
Bob
10:12 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
I agree wholeheartedly with Bill K on this... who woulda thunk?
Jerry Chase
2:44 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Bill, your standard of 'objective' evaluation is much too narrow.
Jerry Chase
4:16 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
A relatively latter-day comment, if I may, Bill K.: I was just trying to be fair with the lady. May I say that this "forum" on Patch is a great thing. Why, even now & then,
I find a bit of common ground with many, including you, Bill K., Darren, & Gretchen.
Fair exchange of ideas is a good thing, and this 'forum' provides opportunity for it.
Bill K.
10:21 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
THE APOCALYPSE IS UPON US IF THAT'S THE CASE
Bob
10:35 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Frogs (not snow) are beginning to fall from the sky where I am...
Stephen V. Kane
1:53 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Like "democrat" and "republican" the word "patriot" was also a pretty good term, until its adoption as a brand name, and now, if not devoid of meaning, is certainly tarnished of its former magnificence.
Jerry Chase
11:09 pm on Saturday, February 23, 2013
I'm sorry to see Sara-Lynn leave the Council. She's just the sort that many folks were hoping for, clamoring for: the "breath of fresh air" that does her own thinking.
Oh, sure; there's probably some issues for which we see it differently. But, honestly, despite allegations otherwise, I say that someone should tell me (and others) who, besides J. Weydt, has been that "breath of fresh air"?
Darren Major
3:19 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
2 in a row - who wants lickspittles on the council - SJR has not been a rubber stamp -- good for Attleboro - maybe new councilors will follow Sarah and NOT learn to kiss up to the Mayor and Cook
Bill K.
9:07 am on Monday, February 25, 2013
Rick Conti has Jerry.
Jerry Chase
3:53 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013
What's the old Sinatra song, "Everybody has the right to be wrong".
Darren Major
3:22 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
Attleboro should demand its Senate seat be unified - my 0.02 only - i thinkdilutedpower is not a good thing IMHO
Jerry Chase
4:19 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
Darren, Other areas of Mass. is 80% Dem, give or take. Does such "non-diluted
power" mean for better government or better living in such areas other than here?
I don't know: I've only lived here for almost 40 years. But, it's a fair question, eh?