Virginia Wood

My name is Virginia Wood

I’m running for State Representative for Ayer, Dunstable, Groton, Pepperell, and Townsend.

MA Sierra Club

I care deeply about growing businesses and creating jobs, funding our schools, and protecting our natural resources. Those are very important issues. But there is a bigger, more basic issue:

Why aren’t things working well for us and our communities? Why are we constantly faced with the choice of cutting school programs and town services or raising property taxes?

We face many important issues that all lead back to the same point, one that’s come up in another political race this season:
After fourteen years of the failed policies of the past, we need new leadership for the future.

The future offers many great opportunities. Our district has the opportunity to have a state representative who will be an advocate for the environment and a progressive energy policy. (I’m very pleased that the Massachusetts League of Environmental voters has endorsed me, in contrast to the low ratings it gave incumbent Bob Hargraves.) Equally important is having a rep who understands how to shape state policies on housing, transportation, and education — the keys to economic development and a good quality of life in this district.

Perseverance, tenacity, and creativity have kept my own business going. Those qualities are also needed at the State House. The status quo has not served this district well. We need change.

You may think, “Politicians are all the same.”

Well, I do things differently. I will be candid with you. I won’t insult your intelligence with old political tricks. Here are the values I hold strongest: community; accountability; results; cooperation; education; opportunity to prosper; and preserving the things we cherish. Our one state representative must be a leader for these values. That has not been the case for a long time, 14 years. And that needs to change.

I invite you to look over my web site and read what I have to say about the important issues we’re facing in this part of Massachusetts. Feel free to leave a comment here, call me, or send me an e-mail message.

Comments

Comment from V.Wood
Time October 17, 2008 at 9:54 am

Dear Pep Mill Worker:
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to clarify. Certainly no intent to mislead. As you know, if you were working for the mill 14 years ago, it was announced they were going to close. I clearly remember the angst it caused the residents of Pepperell knowing they were going to lose their anchor business - a business which in turns supports so many other businesses.
While it took until 2003 to actually shut the doors, the company by then was just a tiny shadow of what it had been. My frustration, and why I am running, is during all that time, and subsequently, our state rep should have been working hard to keep the mill open. And after it finally died, he should have worked with the Board of Selectmen to bring state resources to the town to help with reuse or redevelopment.
This was, and still is, an opportunity for our state rep to take a leadership role, and he has been mostly missing.
That is unfortunate for the people and businesses of Pepperell. I look forward to working with the Board of Selectman on whatever economic development project they need help with — including bringing that mill building back to life as an anchor for a vibrant downtown Pepperell.

Comment from Pep Mill Worker
Time October 16, 2008 at 4:40 pm

Mrs. Woods, I was saddend to see you mislead the people of this district at both the debate and on “Around Town”. You stated over 10 times that the Pepperell Papper Mill has been “closed for 14 years”. Mam, that is a complete falsehood. It was closed in 2002 (6 years) and was sold to a private owner in 2003. The voters would appreatiate a public correction to your mis-leading statements. Thank You

Comment from ChrisMills
Time September 25, 2008 at 8:48 am

Hi Gang,

I don’t know who’s heading up the lawn sign effort, but kudos to him or her! It’s great to go to work every morning and come home every evening to see them all over town. I’ve got a feeling this is the one!