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August 4, 2006 SEEKONK STAR "HOWITT INVITES HILLMAN TO TOWNS" read more

Seekonk paid visit by Lieutenant Governor hopeful


Reed Hillman practices politics the old fashioned way. In an age dominated by huge media corporations which allow candidates to send a message to millions of people without spending large amounts of time, and political consultants and pollsters who tell candidates to focus on certain areas, Mr. Hillman, the republican lieutenant gubernatorial candidate running on the same ticket as gubernatorial candidate Kerry Healey, has set out on a tour of every single town in Massachusetts.

Day in and day out he stops in and talks with the locals in cafes, barbershops and other small venues, asking for their votes on the Nov. 7 election.

Last Thursday, he made a stop at Seekonk's Country Kitchen, where locals talk politics most frequently. At the request of state representative hopeful Steve Howitt and town republican party chairman Donald Kinniburgh, Mr. Hillman greeted all the residents present, and asked for every restaurant patron's vote.

Keeping it going

He then spoke with The Star about the progress of the Romney administration, and elaborated on how a Healey administration could continue that progress. Were one to sum up his message, it would be that under the Romney administration, Massachusetts has ceased to be "taxachusetts," and that under the Healey administration, that same progress would be continued. (Ms. Healey currently serves as Mitt Romney's lieutenant governor.)

Mr. Hillman touted the fact that the Romney administration brought the state of Massachusetts from an approximate $3 billion deficit four years ago, to a current $1 billion surplus.

"We've really tightened the belt here in the commonwealth," said Mr. Hillman.

Mr. Hillman said that fact represents a model of fiscal responsibility that the Healey/Hillman administration would continue.

Jobs and economic development

"The theme of our campaign is job creation and economic development," said Mr. Hillman.

"You've got to have a tax environment that encourages businesses to come to Massachusetts, grow in Massachusetts, and hire in Massachusetts."

To that end, Mr. Hillman said that the Healey administration would roll back the state income tax from 5.7 percent to 5 percent. He also lamented the fact that the state has the highest per capita ratio of unemployment insurance to the tax rate in the United States, and said that the Healey administration would take steps to change that fact.

For towns like Seekonk that have been confronted with school closures, Mr. Hillman said restorations in the lottery contributions from the state back to the towns, "should be great news for a town like Seekonk."

Mr. Hillman maintains that a Healey/Hillman administration would be committed to education, and he noted that his wife is a school teacher.

"We want to ensure that every child progresses each year, and that they have world class skills," says Mr. Hillman.

His background

Mr. Hillman, who resides in Sturbridge, served for 25 years in the state police force. He was promoted to Colonel of the state police in 1996.

He retired in 1999, and then served in the legislature for six years. In 2005, he was given an option to either become a United States Marshall, or run on the Healey ticket for lieutenant governor. He chose the latter.

Noel Baker, who was dining in the Country Kitchen last Thursday morning, said that he had not yet made up his mind with regard to whom he intended to vote for, but said that a handshake from a candidate never hurts his chances.

"It's nice to see them get out and do it, (shake hands)" said Mr. Baker.

Russell J. Moore

rmoore@eastbaynewspapers.com