Sam Meas is a refreshing choice

Elections 2012 July 27, 2012 

examiner.com

By: Joseph D'Amore

Sam Meas has a storied past as a survivor. He survived the Killing Fields of Cambodia as a young boy and experienced the painful loss of his parents and family members in 1979 during the horrific "re-education" campaign of the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot's murderous reign in Cambodia. He was forced to march to a Thai refuge camp and lived in the squalor and severity of a virtual prison camp. The essence of this experience was captured in words from his favorite movie ; The Shawshank Redemption- "...hope is the only thing".

Sam's distinguishing features of his candidacy for the First Essex Senate seat vacated by State Senator Steve Baddour is his humble bearing. He affably is a master of understatements. Besides professing his belief in hope he once said " ... I am not an establishment candidate". Sam is a man of impeccable ethics, and is a solid family family raising two young daughters in Bradford with his wife Leah . He is a successful business man and financial adviser by profession. His public speaking on issues is exciting , uplifting and yet in plain language so that his ideas are understood by all.

In Massachusetts citizens are in desperate need of representation by passionate, capable and visionary people who are not "establishment" and who's motivations for doing what is in the best interest of the public are transparent.

Sam's ideas are not Republican - centric but rather timely for our condition and transcend all party lines. The financial and organizational crises of the MBTA is an excellent example where Sam's ideas distinguish the man. Whereas other candidates suggest supporting this broken and inefficient bureaucracy which required $160 million infusion of public money to support it last year Sam wants to completely revamp it. 2 Years ago reforms were passed to consolidate the agency with the DOT, streamline its management and modernize its operations. These ideas were abandoned and Sam will re-introduce them. He believes that tax on gasoline should go towards building and road projects not the support of bloated bureaucracies such as the MBTA.

When it comes to bidding for public projects Sam believes that the process should be open and competitive. This is important to help ensure that corruption is not allowed to become institutionalized any further in Massachusetts politics where special interests are prioritized over the public's needs. Furthermore, it is essential that truly competitive bids are awarded to accommodate limited public resources.

For public school funding Sam is concerned that the 20 year old Chapter 70 formula is not aligned well with the realities of school funding needs today . He laments the lack of access to this formula by the public. His proposals for restructuring the formula and inviting the public in this process is a dramatic departure from the normal closed session processes in our government on issues that greatly impact our cities, town and our schools.

And finally as a successful private sector professional he understands well the need for reducing and streamlining regulations on small businesses in Massachusetts. Especially important too is the reduction of income taxes and sales taxes to 5 % so that businesses in the 1st District can more adequately compete with the "tax free" businesses in New Hampshire.

Please vote for Sam Meas in the September 6th primary and help usher in sensible, practical and visionary public policies that will bring "hope" to many Massachusetts residents who have lost their confidence in our government to deliver services efficiently without the need for perpetually increasing taxes, fees and regulatory burdens.

Joe D'Amore writes from Groveland