Edwards Speaks at Winthrop Republican Town Committee Event

State Sen. Lydia Edwards was the guest speaker at a Winthrop Republican Town Committee event Monday night at the Robert A. DeLeo Senior Center.

WRTC Chair Paul Caruccio delivered the opening remarks at the forum. “This event sprouted from Senator Edwards’ interest in understanding the priorities of our community and the Winthrop Republican Town Committee’s interest in expressing a different perspective on issues than that which proliferates on Beacon Hill,” said Caruccio.

“We believe understanding the views of all of the electorate is vital to good government, and we hope to offer a different perspective this evening than exists on Beacon Hill,” continued Caruccio. “The WRTC hopes this marks the first of many respectful and professional exchanges of this kind with many of our elected officials.”

Edwards, an attorney who previously served as the Boston city councillor for District 1, represents Winthrop, Revere, and parts of Boston and Cambridge in the 40-member Massachusetts State Senate that consists of 37 Democratic senators and 3 Republican senators.

At the WRTC forum, Edwards answered questions on a wide variety of local, regional, and state issues. Two of the issues addressed were the closure of the Sumner Tunnel and its impact on traffic and commute time for Winthrop residents and the development at Suffolk Downs and the increase in traffic that will likely happen in the area upon the completion of the project that will be situated in East Boston and Revere.

Caruccio praised Sen. Edwards for appearing at the forum, answering the questions thoroughly, and listening to different perspectives on some of the issues.

“I appreciate Senator Edwards attending this event with the Republican Committee,” said Caruccio. “Philosophically we have different views politically, and I have to give her credit that she came here and gave us her time and she addressed all of the questions, none of which she had ahead of time. The questions were all asked as she was standing at the podium this evening, and we were glad to have her and have her investment in the community.”

Sen. Edwards, who was elected in January, has quickly earned the plaudits of residents in the district for her personal accessibility and her office’s constituent services.