Alfano and Viera facing off to be state representative for 3rd Barnstable District

Democrat Kathleen Fox Aflano and incumbent Republican David Viera will square off Nov. 8 for the chance to represent the 3rd Barnstable District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

The 3rd Barnstable District includes the town of Mashpee, Precincts 3, 4, 5, 6 in Bourne and Precincts 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 in Falmouth.

More: State election is coming up. Everything you need about voting this fall

The Massachusetts House of Representatives is a part of the legislative branch of the state government and works with state Senate and the governor to establish laws and a state budget, according to ballotpedia.org. 

We asked both candidates to provide information about their backgrounds, experience and priorities if elected. They are in alphabetical order.

Kathleen Fox Alfano

Residence: Bourne

Education: College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, M.A., B.A.

Employment: Realtor, Salesperson, Senior Specialist at Jack Conway Real Estate, Executive Assistant to President at CBS News, Creative Director, Print Production, Manager at Polaroid, CBS Publishing, Tech Companies for over 25 years

Political experience: None

Civic involvement: Chairperson of Bourne Wastewater Advisory Committee, Chairperson of Jonathon Bourne Public Library of Trustees, Co-President of Gray Gables Association, Founder and President of two community theaters

Why are you running? 

I am running to be a true representative for all of my district. I helped establish the Save the Cape Cod Canal committee, which at the Bourne Nov 21 town meeting, successfully vetoed the Wareham Extension to Outfall up to 10,000,000 gallons a day of wastewater from the Mass Maritime Academy into the Cape Cod Canal.

I then became chairperson of the Bourne Wastewater Advisory Committee from which I learned so much about the harmful effects of nitrogen and other contaminates in our fresh and salt water. I believe we must address these issues immediately. To shed a much brighter light on our clean water problems, I will be a vocal advocate and insist on the help of our state government. Cape Cod must have clean water for our health and our economy.

What is the most pressing issue in your district and how would you address it? 

The most pressing issue to me is returning to the clean pristine water the Cape used to enjoy and still deserves. To achieve this, I plan to establish a Clean Water Caucus at the State House. I will collaborate with experts as well as other representatives and state senators and existing committees to work together to solve this issue. I will work with our town leaders, the Cape Cod Commission and the many nonprofit organizations and innovative companies here to solve this vital issue. I am opposed to the potential machine gun range at the Joint Base which sits atop our sole source aquifer.

Together we can solve this and achieve clean water for us and generations to come.  For the same reason I will work with state Sen. Susan Moran to stop Holtec from dumping any radioactive waste into our Cape Cod Bay.

How do you differ from other candidate? 

I differ from the other candidate because I will communicate with our district by producing a quarterly newsletter, producing a local access TV program and holding regular advertised office hours in each town. I will listen, learn and take action. Because I am part of the majority party at the State House, I have a far greater chance to get increased funds for our district and to write and sponsor successful bills for us all. I will work with my friends and colleagues already on Beacon Hill to make things happen here in Mashpee, Falmouth and Bourne. 

What other information would you like voters to know? 

I am also concerned about upholding and increasing women's rights. I will be a strong voice about our concerns regarding the new Canal Bridges, particularly the local access roads. I will communicate back to you as we are now in the dark. I will work with town leaders to increase workforce and senior housing in our community. I believe in medical aid in dying, gun violence prevention, Backing the Blue, promoting blue economy and small businesses, and fully funding our public libraries. I believe we must respect and celebrate our Native American neighbors. Our seniors deserve the best services and protections. I will be sure they get them.

I do not believe that any one person or party has a monopoly on good ideas. As a collaborator, I will work with everyone for the good of everyone. If my priorities are your priorities, please vote and send me to the State House to work tirelessly for us all.  Thank you.

More: Race to represent the Cape & Islands in Congress: What to know about the candidates

David Vieira

Residence: East Falmouth

Education: BA in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics & Government with a minor in Public Administration from the American University in Washington, DC.  Masters of Public Administration from Suffolk University in Boston, MA.

Employment: State legislator

Political experience: Falmouth Representative Town Meeting member 1997-1998, Falmouth town moderator 1998-present, state representative 2011 – present.

Civic involvement: Assistant Girl Scout leader, Boy Scout Citizenship Merit Badge counselor, Director Emeritus Friends of the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge, Parliamentarian Portuguese American Association of Falmouth, member Cape Cod Cape Verdean Museum & Cultural Center, former director of the Community Leadership Institute of Cape Cod, former director of LIFE, Inc. – Living Independently ForEver a nonprofit serving those with developmental disabilities.

Why are you running? 

I am seeking reelection to continue being a strong voice for the residents of Falmouth, Bourne, and Mashpee. I am honored to serve as the state representative for the 3rd Barnstable District, and I look forward to continuing to help constituents navigate state bureaucracy, assisting towns to access our share of state resources, and working on key issues of affordability, quality early education and care, the opioid crisis, and economic development to name a few.

What is the most pressing issue in your district and how would you address it? 

I believe affordability is the key issue in my district. Like so many of the issues we confront in state and local government this is a complex issue. Affordability applies to housing, food, early education and care, and taxes. I supported the Housing Choices legislation that we passed in the Legislature which gives more zoning options for developers to build affordable housing in our communities. Falmouth has already used this flexibility to rezone a portion of town and a developer is in the process of designing a project. I was able to assist Bourne and Mashpee in getting MassWORKS grants to expand wastewater treatment facilities which allowed further housing and commercial development in Buzzards Bay and the Market Street extension in Mashpee Commons.  As our towns continue to seek affordable wastewater solutions, I will work to help them acquire grant funding and no to low interest loans for these projects. Creating more childcare options are also important, and as a member of the Special Commission on Early Education & Care I helped draft the recommendations which we are now implementing to increase access, reduce wait lists, and stabilize the childcare workforce. However, we must recognize that government cannot address all these issues alone. I will continue to link community-based organizations and individuals with these efforts.

How do you differ from other candidate? 

I believe the biggest difference between me, and my opponent is that I have the experience, local relationships, and lifelong connection to our community that contributes to my being able to get things done. I was born and raised in Teaticket, and have lived my entire life on the Upper Cape. This allows me to have unique insight on the issues we face and a large civic and professional network to tap into.

What other information would you like voters to know? 

It is a true honor to serve as your state representative in Falmouth, Bourne, and Mashpee. I humbly ask for your vote so that we may continue to work together to address the challenges that our communities face. I look forward to continuing my work with the Cape Cod Canal Region Transportation Working Group as we prepare for and begin constructing the new Cape Cod Canal bridges. I will continue to advocate for the Bourne Rail Trail connecting the Shining Sea Bikeway and the Cape Cod Canal path.  As a founding member of the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force I will continue to advocate for our men and women in uniform and for continued environmentally compatible mission assignments at Joint Base Cape Cod. I will advocate for funding grants that will assist Mashpee in constructing the first phase of their wastewater system, Falmouth in future phases, and Bourne in completion of its comprehensive wastewater management plan as we decide on how to expend the rest of the federal infrastructure funding. Please visit www.votevieira.com to learn more or to join Team VIEIRA.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Two candidates running for 3rd Barnstable District on November ballot