Suffolk & Norfolk State Senate District

a little more info please. (6.00 / 2)

What do you do for a living? do you have a campaign website/office/staff?

most importantly of all, what made you decide to run for office, and why this year?

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere- MLK, letter from a Birmingham jail

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by: davesoko @ Sun Feb 28, 2010 at 17:53:05 PM CST

A little more information (0.00 / 0)

Thank you for the constructive questions. I am presently employed by a collection agency and I am on a long term assignment through them at a hospital collecting on old accounts.  I thoroughly understand the crisis that health care facilities are facing, and I have always been an advocate of a single payor system to cut out waste. (especially in administration)

I believe that this district needs a champion for the causes I mentioned earlier, and I decided to run because I feel that the Democrats of my district deserve someone to represent them that espouses their values. As a delegate to the Democratic State Convention over the years, I voted to approve most of the Platform of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

Lastly, you asked if I have staff or a campaign office or a website, and presently, the answer to all of those questions is no. I plan on starting my website by the end of the month, and I have already contacted Act Blue regarding fundraising on their site. I have spoken with Mass Alliance regarding their endorsement process already, and I am very hopeful that I can receive their endorsement.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sincerely,
Wayne J. Wilson, Jr.
Democrat for State Senate
Suffolk & Norfolk State Senate District

waynejwilsonjr@yahoo.com
Tel. (857)719-4010

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by: warrior02131 @ Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 21:44:03 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Background (0.00 / 0)

Senator Marian Walsh is not seeking reelection, according to this Herald article, sourcing State House New Service, from 27 Jan 2010:

http://www.bostonherald.com/ne...

The article says that Rep. Michael Rush (D-West Roxbury) was already planning to challenge Walsh in the 2010 primary.

Google's only hit on "wayne wilson massachusetts senate" is to this BMG diary, suggesting that Wayne does not yet have a campaign website.

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by: DaveMB @ Sun Feb 28, 2010 at 19:06:15 PM CST

Poking at the issues a bit... (0.00 / 0)

Making it illegal for employers and auto insurers in Massachusetts to consider your credit history while applying for employment except when the position requires the direct handling of cash or marketable instruments. Under no circumstances should a person's credit history be considered to determine rates for auto coverage or homeowners or renters insurance coverage.

I understand the argument with employers, but it's not clear to me why insurance coverage shouldn't be able to consider credit history.  The insurers want to figure out who is more or less likely to be in an accident.  If credit history has a statistically significant correlation with accident rates or severity, by itself or with other factors, why shouldn't the insurance company have access (with the applicant's consent of course)?

Ending employment discrimination against those citizens who have made a mistake, e.g. a first DUI,a minor misdemeanor and the like. California forbids employers from asking questions about convictions for misdemeanors that have been resolved or for which probation has been completed. Employers should never be allowed to ask if a person has been arrested. Arrest does not necessarily denote guilt regarding a crime.

In general this proposal seems reasonable, but methinks if the position involves driving then any history of vehicle-related-crimes is relevant, including that DUI 8 years ago.  I'm sure there are loads of jobs with similar, specific exceptions to the proposal.  Seems like a minefield...

In any case, Rush will be tough to beat, best of luck!

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by: stomv @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 04:29:22 AM CST

Issues (0.00 / 0)

There will always be a few exceptions to rules when specifics are taken under consideration. Auto insurance is not purchased on credit and the auto insurers contentions that there is correlation between a persons' credit history and their likelihood to file claims is nonsense.

There has been no movement on Beacon Hill regarding both of these issues at all. Someone has to start the discussion.

About my candidacy and winning the Primary, I firmly believe that the people of this district are more progressive than the other Democrat in the race thinks.
Through my discussions with voters from across the district so far, I have not gotten word that Mike Rush is the heir apparent. To the contrary, most of the people who have signed my nomination petitions do not know who he is.
If they asked about issues, I told them where I stand, and a vast majority did not disagree with me. This district is comprised of sixty precincts, and only fourteen of them are in his State Representative district.

Furthermore, we are running in the Democratic Primary, and the more conservative unenrolled voters will more than likely take a Republican ballot. There are two Republicans running in the Primary against one another as well. If someone is specifically coming out to vote for Governor Patrick in the Democratic Primary, I am confident that they would side with me over Representative Rush.

If I am able to raise the funds to get my message out, I am confident that I can be the Democratic nominee. And it would truly be an honor.

If anyone here would like to contribute to my campaign, please send your check to:

Committee to Elect Wayne Wilson
31 Lindall Street, Roslindale, MA 02131

Please include your occupation and the name of your employer on a separate piece of paper. Thank you.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sincerely,
Wayne J. Wilson, Jr.
Democrat for State Senate
Suffolk & Norfolk State Senate District

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by: warrior02131 @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 06:49:48 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Questions (0.00 / 0)

Good luck to you! A few questions:

1. What are your views on the redevelopment of the MBTA substation in Roslindale Square?

2. What are your views on the BPL budget crunch? My sense is that Roslindale's branch, which is generally decrepit and is no more than a mile or two from the much nicer West Roxbury branch, has got to be on the chopping block. I live in Roslindale, and my neighbors and I generally use the West Roxbury branch. Is having a branch in Roslindale Square a priority? Is restoring library funds from the state budget a priority?

3. Where do you stand on Massachusetts personal income tax policy? Are you in favor of the status quo, increasing the flat rate, introducing a progressive rate, or what?

4.

the auto insurers contentions that there is correlation between a persons' credit history and their likelihood to file claims is nonsense.

How do you know this?

TedF

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by: TedF @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 08:16:19 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Just a couple questions (5.20 / 5)

Are you this Wayne Wilson? If so, can you explain yourself?

Also, how is the Roslindale Parade boycott going?

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by: thinkingliberally @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 07:15:41 AM CST

Lessons learned (0.00 / 0)

A man learns a great many things over his lifetime, and hopefully they learn from their mistakes. I readily admit to the mistakes I have made, they humbled me when I was seeking election back in 2006. Hopefully, they do not preclude me being of service to the people I would like represent.

At this time in my life I am a law abiding citizen who has a loving wife and three remarkable children.

Regarding the Roslindale Day Parade, I thought it might be a good idea to bring up the issue of green development at an event promoted as "Roslindale Goes Green". We must confront the issue of this nations' dependence on foreign energy sometime, and I thought that alerting politicians in that parade to the peoples' interest in green development would be a good idea.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sincerely,
Wayne J. Wilson, Jr.
Democrat for State Senate
Suffolk & Norfolk State Senate District

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by: warrior02131 @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 07:39:25 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Ratings (6.00 / 1)

Re Farnkoff's 3, I think these are fair questions.

TedF

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by: TedF @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 08:29:06 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Questions (0.00 / 0)

I knew that these mistakes would come up again, and I would like your constructive answers. Especially to Ted F,
does your knowledge of these mistakes preclude you supporting my candidacy? I need to know these things if I can be a viable candidate, or if I should allow a very conservative Democrat to have the Democratic Party nomination uncontested.

I do not want this, but if it appears that if the voters of the district cannot overcome my past transgressions which I have already publicly acknowledged and expressed my sincere regrets for, I will not continue.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sincerely,
Wayne J. Wilson, Jr.
Democrat for State Senate
Suffolk & Norfolk State Senate District

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by: warrior02131 @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 08:53:15 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Constructive Answers (0.00 / 0)

Wayne,

You asked for some constructive answers regarding your past transgressions and your candidacy, so I thought I would share my thoughts.  Full disclosure, I am not a voter in your district.  

Would your past transgressions preclude me from supporting your candidacy?  Yes.  Two reasons why.  First, while it is true everyone makes mistakes, the article points out (and you seem to admit to) multiple mistakes that demonstrate a pattern of irresponsible behavior and a lack of personal responsibility, including "mistakes" that put public safety at risk (the DUI).  Second, it seems that your platform, outside the traditional check-the-box progressive issues of gay rights, abortion, etc. come out of your personal experience and seem to indicate a desire for you to legislate away the consequences of your own past actions (i.e., outlawing the credit check requirements or being able to hide a DUI).  You say you want to learn from your mistakes, which is admirable.  But perhaps the biggest lesson to learn is that actions have consequences and you need to live with those.

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by: wahoowa @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 09:33:31 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Constructive answer (0.00 / 0)

I have to take the good with the bad. I fully believe that a person can overcome past mistakes and grow from them. Some people do not.

I have a pretty good credit history now, and that is not a worry for me. I am making more than I ever have presently. I think it is rotten that something that can be due to unfortunate circumstances, e.g. losing a job or medical expenses can rob someone of the ability to make a living. It is not fair and something has to be done.

What does a  first DUI five years ago have to do with a person's ability to perform in a job that has nothing to do with driving? Nothing. California forbids employers from asking these questions regarding minor transgressions that have been fully resolved in the legal system. We can learn a great deal from the laws elsewhere to make our Commonwealth a better place to live.

Since you do not live in my district, I do not have to worry if you would vote for me or not. I am just hoping that I am not damned for all time for things that have nothing to do with the person that I am now. Thank you.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sincerely,
Wayne J. Wilson, Jr.
Democrat for State Senate
Suffolk & Norfolk State Senate District

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by: warrior02131 @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 11:20:43 AM CST

[ Parent ]

DUI (6.00 / 1)

You ask (and answer):

What does a  first DUI five years ago have to do with a person's ability to perform in a job that has nothing to do with driving? Nothing.

I disagree.  I am a little troubled that you keep insinuating that DUI's are not serious (you keep referring to it as "minor").  When you drive while under the influence, you are not only putting yourself at risk, but also putting the safety and well being of everyone else on the road at risk.  That seems pretty darn serious to me (and I imagine all those people and families that have been negatively impacted by drunk drivers).  How can you ask a voter to entrust you with the well-being of the Commonwealth when you showed such disregard for their personal safety?

I find it odd that you attacked your opponent for a past legal transgression because he violated the public trust.  Sure, that's bad.  But he didn't put others lives at stake like you did when you got behind the wheel drunk.  

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by: wahoowa @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 13:20:33 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Transgressions (6.00 / 1)

Let us use the proper terminology. The California law relates to persons convicted of misdemeanors. I plead no contest to a misdemeanor. Thankfully, no one except me was hurt. I took all the punishment for admitting to sufficient facts for that charge.

I have far too much to lose to ever think of doing that again, and I am speaking of my wife and children. If I was ever stupid enough to do that again, I would lose my family, and that means far more to me than any election.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sincerely,
Wayne J. Wilson, Jr.
Democrat for State Senate
Suffolk & Norfolk District

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by: warrior02131 @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 13:42:07 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I'll spin it this way (0.00 / 0)

if you were driving under the influence and got off with a misdemeanor, than (a) we should toughen up the law where necessary to ensure that it's a felony conviction, and (b) in the mean time we shouldn't allow some misdemeanors (like, ahem, DUI) to be considered "minor" under your similar-to-CA proposal.

Really.  DUI is akin to letting kids play with a loaded gun or randomly pushing people off the sidewalk onto the street.  In no way, shape, or form is it "minor", your criminal record be damned.

So look: best of luck with your life, and I wish you and your family happiness and success.  Sincerely.  But I wouldn't ever knowingly vote for someone with a DUI record, because that person put himself in a position to drive drunk when he was sober, and if he's willing to do that I sure as hell wouldn't trust him with my money or the rest of my government.

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by: stomv @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 14:19:21 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Oh boy. (6.00 / 3)

Did you ever knowingly vote for Ted Kennedy?  

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by: Farnkoff @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 14:32:55 PM CST

[ Parent ]

A remarkably fair point. (6.00 / 2)

And yes, I did (although he frustrated the hell out of me about Cape Wind).

Maybe I do need a caveat -- like a statute of limitations.  A long time ago (or, it wasn't that long ago, depending on perspective) it hadn't dawned on American society as a whole how colossally stupid drunk driving is.  That changed at some point, maybe as MADD got influential...

so, how's that?  More reasonable?  I'm trying to square my absolute anger over DUI with some historical perspective.

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by: stomv @ Tue Mar 02, 2010 at 06:18:06 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Attitudes toward DUI have indeed changed over time, (0.00 / 0)

as they have with some other things, like second hand smoke. Plus, as far as I know Ted went to his grave denying that he had been driving under the influence during the Chappaquidik incident (which is probably best left without additional comment).

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by: Farnkoff @ Tue Mar 02, 2010 at 12:57:10 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Maybe (6.00 / 1)

To be honest, maybe. On the one hand, your misdeeds did not occur while you were holding office, so the crictisms I and others have leveled on BMG at Sen. Gallucio, Sen. Wilkerson, Rep. DiMasi, et al. aren't directly applicable. Still, I am a big believer in good government, and part of good government is having people of good character in government. I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say that leaving a voice mail message with a non-profit group threatening to kill its staff probably reflects on your character.

Look, I don't think your past necessarily disqualifies you from office. Wow me on policy stuff, and I'll think about it.

TedF

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by: TedF @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 12:49:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Hopefully Rush will stop by soon to run the gauntlet. (0.00 / 0)

But I guess you're right. It's just that the idea of Rush, an unremarkable career politician-type, merely ascending to this seat as if it's his birthright, both bores and annoys me. Immature of me to take it out on thinkingliberally. Also, the link "are you this Wayne Wilson" led me nowhere on my iPhone. What damning fact does it reveal?  

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by: Farnkoff @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 08:54:56 AM CST

[ Parent ]

The Boston Globe Article (0.00 / 0)

Hi All:

As a matter of full disclosure, I am posting the test of The Boston Globe article, "Wayne's World" on this site.

Wayne's World
In the race for state rep from the Sixth District, Democratic activist Wayne Wilson has taken shots at the conviction record of another candidate, while billing himself as the clean choice. But is he?
By Ric Kahn, Globe Staff  |  June 4, 2006

To check in with Democrat Wayne Wilson's campaign for state rep, let's start with one of his opponents, convicted felon William Celester .

Because Wilson has taken on a candidate who possesses name recognition for some of the wrong reasons: Celester was the well-known Boston police commander who became the top cop in Newark, N.J., then went to prison for two years after pleading guilty to fraud, following charges that he misused public funds.

``I'm surprised he's running, to tell you the truth," Wilson, 41, was quoted as saying in the March 2 Dorchester Reporter, ``in that someone who didn't protect the public trust as an employee is looking for the public's trust now."

Yet as Wilson makes a run for the Sixth Suffolk District State House seat from his base in Roslindale, state filings and court documents show that he's had trouble keeping his own house in order.

Last year, Wilson was the target of a restraining order issued by the courts after he threatened to kill everyone in a local senior-services agency because it was investigating a report that he had emotionally abused his mother. Wilson admits to the threat but denies the abuse charge.

On May 5, Wilson had a lien slapped on his personal property by the state for owing $22,052.43 in child support, including interest and penalties.

On May 19, Wilson completed probation after he'd admitted there was sufficient evidence to sustain a charge that he was driving drunk in Bridgewater after 1:30 one morning last year.

Last week, Wilson was busy campaigning for the September election, doing a meet-and-greet during a function at St. Ambrose Church in Dorchester's Fields Corner.

``I'd really love the opportunity to represent the people of this district," Wilson said later that afternoon when asked about the recent incidents in an interview at his Lindall Street home. ``I know what it's like to go through difficulties. I've had my own."

He is a candidate with dual portfolios. Media accounts portray a public Wayne Wilson; court documents and state records portray a private Wayne Wilson.

On his website, Wilson offers his credentials as a true-blue Democrat now seeking the seat being vacated by Shirley Owens-Hicks for a district that runs through Roslindale, Mattapan, Dorchester, and Hyde Park. He supports abortion rights, gay marriage, and a working-family agenda, including raising the minimum wage. He opposes the death penalty.

According to the website, he's spent many years cultivating his political grass roots: ``Associate & Member of the Ward 19 Democratic Committee . . . Co-Founder, Past Secretary and Past Vice President for Membership of The Suffolk County Young Democrats 1984-1987 . . . Delegate to 10 Democratic State Conventions . . . Delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention . . . "

Media mentions have further burnished his resume.

During coverage in the Globe of an unsuccessful 1998 run in a special election for state rep, in which he garnered 75 votes, Wilson was identified as ``chairman of the membership and outreach committee of Massachusetts Young Democrats."

In a 2003 Globe story about Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral's switch from Republican to Democrat, Wilson commented critically as ``a Democratic state committeeman from Norfolk and Suffolk counties."

By the time of the March 2 Dorchester Reporter piece, Wilson carried the label of a ``long time activist in the Democratic Party."

In May, in the same paper, he popped up as a quotable figure in a story on possible replacements for outgoing police commissioner Kathleen O'Toole.

In a posting on an Al Gore website , Wilson positions himself as the clean choice. ``I am not a convicted felon, and I fear no scrutiny," Wilson wrote.

Denise Paige , 42, Wilson's former girlfriend and the mother of his only child, now 18, says she's galled by Wilson's goody-two-shoes posture.

``People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones," says Paige, who admits to her own troubles, including drug use she says is in her past and emotional problems that remain in her present.

Last year, a Jamaica Plain senior-services organization named Ethos obtained a restraining order against Wilson.

Representatives of the agency went to Suffolk Superior Court after they said Wilson left a voice-mail message threatening to visit Ethos and kill everyone in the office.

He demanded the agency stop investigating an allegation that he was mentally abusing his mother. Wilson was ordered not to harass or in any way communicate with the group, as well as to keep at least 300 feet away from its Amory Street site.

It's unclear from the court records how the inquiry started or ended, and a representative for the agency was unable to provide details.

The stay-away order expired April 1, after a year.

His mother recently died.

Wilson acknowledges he made the threatening call. But he says the abuse allegation was so untrue that it made him lose his cool.

``I did fly off the handle," he said in the interview. ``I'm sorry for it. It never happened again. It never will."

Within days after the court order went into effect, Wilson was stopped by Bridgewater police while in his white minivan.

Wilson, the police officer wrote in a report, ``appeared `out of it' and smelled of an alcoholic beverage." According to the police report, Wilson at first said he hadn't ``really" been drinking that night, but later acknowledged imbibing three White Russians. He insisted his driving was not impaired.

But when he stumbled on the alphabet and nearly fell during a field sobriety test, Wilson was arrested on a drunken driving charge. He later recorded a .11 on the breathalyzer, above the .08 limit.

On the way to the station , the officer wrote, Wilson passed a vehicle waiting to be towed, and said: ``Boy, all the minivans are getting pulled over tonight!"

``That is your van," the officer said he told Wilson.

Wilson -- who collects medical bills from insurance companies on jobs assigned by a temp agency -- was declared partially indigent and had his case continued without a finding after he admitted to sufficient facts for a guilty verdict.

Wilson says he spent that night in jail; lost his driver's license for 90 days; attended a first offender program; missed a week of work; had to come up with $1,730 in legal and court fees; and learned his lesson.

``Do I know better?" says Wilson, who said he fared so poorly on the balance portion of the field sobriety test because that part of the street was sloped and he was wearing dress shoes. ``Yes I do. Never again."

Wilson's probation ended May 19.

Meanwhile, on May 5, the Commonwealth filed a $22,052.43 lien on Wilson's personal property with the secretary of state's office to cover unpaid child support.

That was a month after he submitted his necessary nomination signatures -- 150 are required -- to the secretary of state, which asks of those running for state representative that they also be registered voters at least 18 years old who've lived in the district for a year before the election .

By midweek, the $22,000 had been reduced to $18,700 by recent payments and adjustments, according to the Department of Revenue. Wilson owes that money to the state, which had helped keep Paige and their daughter afloat with welfare benefits.

Wilson says he's paid child support in the years he could but fell into arrears at a time when he was trying to piece together a living from part-time jobs.

``I was poor," he said.

Even now, he says he's far from flush. With $175 coming out of his paycheck every week to satisfy the state lien, Wilson says he hopes to use his portion of his mother's estate to pay off his debt and help finance his campaign.

Yet even with only $1,000 in his campaign coffers, and his girlfriend acting as treasurer, Wilson pooh-poohs the notion that he's a long shot in a campaign that also includes veteran activist Willie Mae Allen.

``If I work diligently," he said, ``I think I have a good chance."

In the end, though he acknowledges his own transgressions, Wilson does not cast himself in the same shadows as Celester. After all, Wilson says, his were in the private realm.

``I didn't violate the public trust," Wilson said.

Ric Kahn can be reached at rkahn@globe.com.

© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company.

I have paid my arrearage in child support from 2006 in full, I owe the Commonwealth of Massachusetts nothing. My mother signed my nomination petition for State Representative in 2006, just before she passed away.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sincerely,
Wayne J. Wilson, Jr.
Democrat for State Senate
Suffolk & Norfolk State Senate District

Respectfully Submitted,
Sincerely

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by: warrior02131 @ Mon Mar 01, 2010 at 09:10:41 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Clarification (0.00 / 0)

I have paid my arrearage in child support from 2006 in full, I owe the Commonwealth of Massachusetts nothing. My mother signed my nomination petition for State Representative in 2006, just before she passed away.

To reiterate, I presently have no legal or personal issues that would preclude me serving the constituents in my district well and to the best of my ability as State Senator.

Respectfully Submitted,
Sincerely,
Wayne J. Wilson, Jr.
Democrat for State Senate
Suffolk & Norfolk State Senate District

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by: warrior02131 @ Thu Apr 01, 2010 at 21:40:38 PM CDT

[ Parent ]