We Support Dru Tarr for MA 5th Essex District Seat

To the Editor,

We are writing in support of State Representative Andrew “Dru” Tarr having a full term in the State House.  He was the late Rep. Ann Margaret Ferrante’s assistant for nine years and is the best candidate for the job. Dru has wide and deep experience in state government and was mentored by AMF.  He knows how Beacon Hill works, has many acquaintances among the legislators and staff and does not need to be tutored on how the budget process works, what is needed for hearing testimony, how to move legislation forward, and where the pitfalls are.

As a young man who did not grow up with advantages, Dru has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by young people on Cape Ann, and this informs his advocacy of specific improvements in education for all Cape Ann’s children and other vitally important needs for people here.

At debates and in person, Dru is careful in what he says.  He does not insult or exaggerate. He has an even, calm temperament and focuses on resolving issues rather than generating controversy to get attention.  Christina Delisio on the other hand seems to use simple talking points when a deeper analysis of an issue is called for.

While Dru answered questions with specific bills that are moving through the legislative process and clearly understands the actual budget process, Christina seems to think that difficult problems can be solved with a simplistic talking point, without understanding problems and their consequences.  Complicated issues require doing one’s homework.  When she served on Manchester’s Planning Board, Christina would typically come to meetings apparently without having done the necessary background reading.  Christina would often take the “no” position despite months of work by other members of the board. She opposed reasonable zoning changes simply because they seemed less restrictive or they were simply too complicated.  She was an obstructionist and didn’t consider other’s suggestions and lacks the ability to negotiate.

An example of the destruction she leaves in her wake is how Christine contributed to the demise of the Manchester Community Center.  She was a proponent of the legal strategy fiasco of Michael Walsh, the lawyer she helped to affiliate with the Community Center.  Even Salem District Court Judge Richard Mori advised the Community Center to negotiate, but they refused to do so. (Manchester Cricket, April 12, 2024).

In the debates, Christina sounds like she really doesn’t understand the legislative process or hasn’t even looked at the MA Legislative website for insight into what Beacon Hill is really up to, and would rather spout talking points about culture war or social wedge issues like women’s sports or bathrooms.  She seems to think that she can find enough waste, fraud and abuse to fund huge tax cuts from the relatively small legislative budget that will eventually be audited by the State Auditor.  Gil Frieden certainly added to the debates and the campaign in a positive way with insightful comments and a good heart, but he lacks experience and wider knowledge than Essex.

We need someone who actually understands the Cape Ann economy in detail and all its people, who doesn’t alienate the people he or she needs to work with, and who can get things done in the legislature to improve life on Cape Ann for all of us.

Dru Tarr is that person.

Alison Anholt-White

Richard Goutal

Michael Storella

Sylvia Vriesendorp

Manchester