Supporting Capobianco for State Rep.
Dear Editor:
I am supporting Democratic Candidate Tino Capobianco on March 2, who has dedicated himself to public service for over 10 years. He began servicing our communities as an aide to Speaker DeLeo and presently as Chief of Staff to State Senator Paul Feeney. He learned and absorbed valuable experiences and understandings of local and state government from these valued leaders.
During these troubling times, our lives have been harshly impacted by the pandemic, causing severe health issues, and economic hardships through the loss of jobs. Tino recognizes the need for strong leadership to help the people of our communities to recover. He understands these needs and is ready to work towards setting up resources to help with the creation of jobs, housing for low income families and support for small businesses. This will allow our communities to get back on our feet and look to the future.
Tino’s involvement and election to the State Democratic Committee over the last 12 years and also his election to the Winthrop School Committee (twice as Chair) has allowed him to witness the needs of providing a nurturing environment for the future of our children and teachers, build competitive public schools, as well as a respect for a diversified community for all.
One of the highest concerns affecting Winthrop and Revere is the significance of our locations sitting on the coastline. Tino understands the urgency of protecting our homes and businesses from potential catastrophic events. He recognizes the importance of investing in the infrastructure for our communities to prevent continued flooding destructiveness. In addition, as close neighbors to Logan Airport, Tino learned through his work on the Winthrop Airport Hazards Committee the issues revolving around keeping our communities safe and protected against noise pollution that affects our health and air space.
Tino understands the importance of strong leadership to get goals accomplished. His natural ability of listening to the needs of our communities and reaching out to us will allow him to make valuable decisions in supporting us through these dark times. As the virus recedes and is conquered, we will need a person with a strong work ethic who is willing to shoulder the needs of our communities to build upon. It will take time for the future of our communities and state to find solid ground. Tino Capobianco is part of that ground to begin building.
Thank you,
Maryalice Sharkey
Former Winthrop Teachers Association President
Former Winthrop School Committee Member
Vaccinate the Postal Workers
Dear Governor Baker:
We, the undersigned members of the Massachusetts General Court, are writing to respectfully request that you prioritize United States Postal Service workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, as recommended by the CDC’s national Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP). These workers are currently designated in the CDC’s Phase 1b recommendation, but have not been specifically named in the state’s eligibility criteria for Phase 1 or Phase 2. This has led to confusion, and a plea for assistance from postal workers in our respective districts.
Postal workers have been on the front lines throughout the entire pandemic, and sometimes do not receive the credit they so rightly deserve. As the old adage goes, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,†and in 2021, this motto should be updated to include the words “nor pandemic.†Every day since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, letter carriers and postal workers have shown up to ensure our mail gets to its destination. Postal workers interact with the public regularly, whether it is when delivering mail to a person’s home or in the post office when citizens are buying stamps or mailing packages. Further, as a result of the pandemic, the USPS experienced a major increase in workload, as the agency handled millions of mail-in ballots during the 2020 elections, as well as a surge in package deliveries through the holiday season.
Ensuring that these workers remain healthy is essential to averting backlogs that have plagued the USPS since the onset of the pandemic. As State Representatives and State Senators, we know the postal workers in our districts, and we share their concerns both for their health and their ability to continue their essential work. We urge you to acknowledge the public health value of their role, and explicitly name these workers in the state’s eligibility criteria as soon as possible. Thank you for your consideration.
Jessica A. Giannino
State Representative
16th Suffolk District