Paul Heroux, Democrat for State Rep. in 2nd Bristol District

The primary election is Thursday. Attleboro Patch sent a questionnaire to the two Democratic candidates for the state House's 2nd Bristol District seat. Below are the answers from candidate Paul Heroux. Go here to see the answers from his opponent Stephen Kane. The winner will face Republican incumbent George Ross in the November general election.

General Information

Name : Paul Heroux 
Place of residence : Mechanic Street, Attleboro

Education

College

Attended college : Yes
College : University of Southern California
Degree : Bachelor's in Psychology with a Minor in Neuroscience

Grad school

University : Harvard, London School of Economics, University of Pennsylvania,
Degree : Masters' in Public Administration, International Relations, Criminology

Employment Information

Job titles held : NA
Employers : Attleboro YMCA; Massachusetts Department of Correction; Philadelphia Prison System; Institute for Defense and Disarmament Studies; Al Rajhi HRD Saudi Arabia

Political Information

Party affiliation : Democrat
Running for a: Local office 
Running for position: State Rep - Second Bristol District
Chamber/district: Second Bristol District
Incumbent: No
Previous elective offices : NA
Unsuccessful bids for elective offices: NA

Party HQ

Address PO Box 2031
Attleboro
MA
2703

URLs

Website : PaulForAttleboro.com
Twitter : @PaulHeroux
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Heroux/283923214951997

Other facts

I am running because there is a lot of important work that needs to be done in our community. 1) We must know if the programs and services we pay for as tax payers are effective or not. On every spending bill that comes across my desk, I will attach performance measures to determine effectiveness. If a program or service works, good. If it does not, then we can either reform it, ask why it doesn't work, replace it with something that does or cut the funding. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It is a common sense issue. 2) We have an unemployment rate in our community that is higher than the rest of the state and higher than every surrounding community. This is wrong and nothing has been done about it. I have some ideas based on best-practices that have been effective in other communities and I intend to pursue those ideas. 3) We need a State Rep who is serious about constituent services for all citizens. Too often have I been told that people don't have a voice or someone they feel will be able to get a job done. 4) Mental health is an important aspect of any community and we need a State Rep who will champion this cause. Children, adults and seniors are all affected by mental illness. We need to make sure that we have the community resources for all citizens. Trivia About Paul Worked in prison, in jail, with children, at a national security think tank and taught English in Saudi Arabia. Was once a janitor and restaurant busboy. Did poorly in high school. Had to attend community junior night school classes to get grades up before he could apply to a bachelor's degree program. Has three master's degrees - Harvard, the London School of Economics, and the University of Pennsylvania. Awarded "Most Genuine" by his high school classmates in 1995. Has never had any alcohol to drink and won't eat foods cooked with alcohol. Enjoys arguing and debating. Minored in neuroscience in college. In 2002, Paul decided not to pursue a career as a neuroscience researcher, a career he was planning on. Drove across the US (Boston to Los Angeles) three times; 1998, 2001 and 2002. Has been to Europe in 2002, 2003, 2005-2006, 2007. Has lived in England and Saudi Arabia, and California and Pennsylvania. Loves to read non-fiction, write about public policy, and watch movies. Has read well over 1000 books and has a personal library. Wrote a book on the Middle East, and two movie screenplays. Started working at his father's drug store at 11 years old. When he was 11 years old, he worked all summer, saved his money and bought an $600 freestyle/BMX bike. When he was 12 years old, he worked all summer, saved his money and bought an $900 freestyle/BMX bike. Two months after purchase, his $900 bike was stolen; he still has the $600 bike. Has an older sister who is a nurse and a younger sister who is a pharmacist. Both parents are pharmacists and both own small independent drug stores. Very much enjoys living overseas in non-Western cultures. Is an avid runner and was a swimmer in college. Has an antique map collection. Loves to cook for large dinner parties. Has been with his fiancée, Bec, for 10 ten years. They met in 2001 and started dating in 2002. At one point 80% of their relationship was long distance. Never missed a single day of school in the 4th grade. Learned to speak sign language when he was 14 because a friend was/is deaf. Learned to speak, read and write Arabic, but has now gotten very rusty. Invested $330,000 in his education (using loans, credit card, work study and scholarships). Owes $150,000 in student loan debt. Says it was worth it. Loves animals. Favorite sayings: "Do more for others, than you do for yourself"; "Public service is not about those who serve, it is about those who would be served"; "When you take care of your character, your reputation will take care of itself."