A disagreement with Mike Capuano

[cos]

Several years ago, when the country was plagued with touchscreen voting machines that made re-counts impossible and gave no way to verify that their counts weren't buggy, Representative Rush Holt (one of the few scientists in Congress) was pushing a bill that would've required these machines to at least produce a paper printout at the time votes

Comments

Capuano

[tt02144]

Capuano has always shown himself to be honest, intelligent, and a straight-talker. He'll tell you the truth even if it's not what you want to hear......not a trait shared by most politicians. Capuano did put in the optical scan machines for just the purpose he stated. The old election process was being upgraded and these machines do a computer tally, but also produce a hard copy which can be re-counted.
Another thing about Capuano that many people probably don't know.....when the state Lottery decided to implement KENO they started putting the KENO machines everywhere, including small corner convenience stores. Capuano didn't like the idea of people sitting in the corner store playing the numbers while kids were coming in and out for candy or ice cream. Since Somerville had an ordinance banning gaming machines he fought the state, telling them KENO machines were not allowed in Somerville. Unfortunately, he lost, but in the meantime he stood up for his constituents in a big way.
He also, as mayor, required his department heads to live in Somerville. What a difference you see when the city administration goes home at night to Elm Street, Willow Ave., or Highland Road, rather than Brookline, Winchester, or Reading. The administration was filled with constituents who wanted what was best for the city, because it affected them as well.
I don't always agree with Capuano, but I know he'll come to a decision based on facts and not special interests and he'll tell you exactly where he stands!