Friday, July 27, 2012

Fraser Offers Economic Development, Environmental, Artistic and Public Service Expertise


Fraser Offers Economic Development, Environmental, Artistic and Public Service Expertise
By Genevieve Fraser

As a Democratic candidate for state representative for the 2nd Franklin District, I offer over three decades of public and private service from economic development initiatives to environmental safeguards.  As an aide to state Senator Robert D. Wetmore, I learned first hand from one of the best what it means to be a true public servant...to dedicate one’s life to insuring that residents and the municipalities in which they live have a strong voice at the State House as well as an advocate to help navigate the labyrinth of state and quasi-public agencies that impact lives. 

As a planner for the Private Industry Council, I investigated the strengths and weaknesses of the region’s economic and labor market and helped lay plans for education and training opportunities and the entry of business and industry into the local economy.  As a staff associate at Mount Wachusett Community College, I worked to showcase the dozens of career choices whether technical oriented, science based, teaching or  social service training to help those in need, the handicapped and the elderly. I helped initiate and worked closely with the Forest and Wood Products Institute and organized and chaired the Northern Tier Transit Coalition that lead to the creation of the Link Bus System that spans from Gardner to Greenfield and provides vitally needed transportation for the region.

And I have worked to bring the arts to the region as the artistic director of the Drama Circle and our recent Quabbin Civil War Remembrance and  “Lincoln: The Musical.”  I spent a decade working on “In the Claw of the Tiger," a book that serves as a history of Athol and Orange during World War II as well as a chronicle of the sacrifices and suffering of local heroes who survived as a POW in the Philippines and Japan. 

Though I wasn’t born and raised here, I chose to live here because of my respect and commitment to its people as well as the awe and inspiration I derive from the incredible natural beauty of this place.  But along with the blessings of the region, conversely, the outsourcing of jobs and decline of the mature industries have wrecked havoc on the prospects of a proud and once prosperous region. 

The newly created 2nd Franklin District is home to over 200,000 forested acres and at it’s heart is the Commonwealth’s most valued asset – the Quabbin Reservoir and Watershed that filters and protects this priceless natural resource - which was created by obliterating the four town once cradled in the Swift River Valley.  

But the legacy of exploitation continues, too often our region functions like a third world country with our natural resources shipped elsewhere – our water to Boston and our timber to points across the globe - from Canada to China  -where its milled and manufactured and shipped back to our shores to be sold. 

I am running for state representative to reverse the trend of exploitation and economic downturn - to rebuild the region’s local economy – to work with colleges and universities and the Commonwealth’s Technology Collaborative and local business, industry and municipal leaders.  Through the utilization of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass - which is so abundant in the region – we can reverse the trend and attract business and industry to locate here where a sustainably managed forest offers a healthy ecosystem for wildlife, recreation for residents and a new economy and new hope for the region.

Please vote for Democrat Genevieve Fraser on September 6 for state representative for the newly created 2nd Franklin District

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