On the Trail with Ty: 10/13/18

1. I want to credit John Corrigan with steady, reliable help with the door to door knocking and handing out of palm cards. John helps me on rainy or threatening days. He is very comfortable knocking on doors and delivering a message of support for me.

I would not be where I am without a dedicated group of volunteers. Jax handles all my social media and special events. Bill is superb at his treasurer’s duties, advice, and puts up signs in tricky spots. Jan organizes the weekly sign holding. And lots of you come to the sign holding on Saturday mornings from 10 am to noon.

I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your warm support. I have made so many new, good friends over the past year during my two campaigns (state rep and city council). It’s been quite a beautiful ride with you. I could not have done this without you.

2. We had a terrific time at the softball game last Sunday. I used muscles that haven’t been touched in many years. The first grounder saw me take a flying tumble, rolling over in the dirt, groping for a ball that I never touched. My white shorts had turned to brown in the process. John smashed two homers. Jax threw several innings of stellar relief. Bill got smacked in a variety of spots by foul balls off his chest and other important bodily parts. We had hot dogs and hamburgs (or turkey burgers) to our heart’s delight. We heard a constant roar of the lion coming from the Capron Park Zoo.

This was pure fun and the campaign/door knocking/sign holding has all been fun. Win or lose, friendships are the best part of our campaign.

To all those who put up signs, give me personal and financial support, knock on doors, wave at passing cars, post my photos and words on social media, and keep me company on this campaign trail.

THANK YOU! I’M HAVING A BLAST!

All the Best,

                                                                 Ty

At the game with State Representative Jim Hawkins

On the Trail with Ty: 9/20/18

Today I met with a couple who live in Ward 4B, near the Norton line. They are retired, still have a mortgage, and their tax bill has recently increased from $4,000 to $5,200 a year. They are expecting next years tax bill to climb over $6,000 on their fixed income. This is a story being played out all over Attleboro.

In this case, the couple is seriously considering moving to North Carolina where taxes and housing costs are a lot less expensive. Most seniors either can’t move or don’t want to leave their extended family behind. We need to help those folks who choose to stay in Attleboro.

In recent weeks I have seen a dramatic increases in homes for sale. I hope these are people choosing to live in a better home. But some of them may be moving into apartments or downsizing because they can’t afford their current homes.

I love Attleboro and plan to stay. But I want to help Seniors that are in danger of losing their homes. Our State Rep., Jim Hawkins, has informed me that three bills are working their way through the state house. The goal is to help seniors get a cap on their taxes or a loan to help them through a housing crisis. I haven’t seen the details but I hope to vote for one of these housing bills as a city councilor.

Affordable housing is one of our deepest needs, especially when we live on fixed incomes.

On the Trail with Ty: 9/17/18

1.This is the week my beloved Red Sox will clinch the Eastern Division vs. the Yankees. How fitting that my first experience today in Ward 5A (off South Main St.) was about baseball? As we were inserting a pair of signs at the corner of Mulberry and Lafayette St., a man walked by and told me he enjoyed my book about the 1918 Red Sox. His then 15 year old daughter had given my book to him almost 20 years ago. I signed the book for Steve last year at the Attleboro Community Theatre.

We ended up talking about some of the players of that long ago deadball era. This wasn’t Attleboro politics but it resulted in my putting a sign in Steve’s yard. Great way to start the day.

2. Jose and I met in front of his barn on Pine Street and had a conversation about the Attleboro dump. Jose pays his taxes, which takes care of his weekly trash. Jose feels the dump should remain free. He loves Attleboro. Originally from Portugal, Jose wants his grandchildren to be fluent in both English and his native language. Jose thinks our schools should be teaching several foreign languages at a younger age, instead of simply offering Spanish in High School.

3. Sara on Dunham Street introduced me to Brent, her nine year old son. Brent can hear the teachers better than in the open class he had in fourth grade. He loves doing math. Sarah (Mom) and Brent are delighted he finally has a classroom with real walls.

4. While biking up Park Street towards Sturdy Hospital, I had the good fortune to meet Brenda, who suddenly appeared at her front door. She has a strong feeling for the homeless of our city. Brenda hopes we eventually have a family homeless shelter so struggling families can have a sense of security and warmth. Brenda actually grew up in a shelter on the North Shore of Mass. She wonders if Attleboro residents realize we do have a homeless population. As I left, she mused, “I will suffer for our homeless till the day I die.”

5. While heading back to my car, I stopped my bike in front of a quiet house on Parker Street. I heard a voice from the leafy front steps. It was a middle aged woman bemoaning the fate of her 62 year old sister, who was in the house suffering from Alzheimer’s.  I suggested she speak to one of our social workers at the Larson Senior Center. She sighed again. Her sister wasn’t well and didn’t seem to be trying to help herself. She thanked me for stopping and listening. Wish I could have done more.

6. My last visit was to a past supporter on School Street. This senior lady wants the council and our mayor to get along better. She wants city leaders to be civil and respectful of each other. She wants leadership that does something positive. I was a little surprised when she looked me in the eye, and told me to put up my sign in her yard. Then she asked me to contact Jim Hawkins and put one of his signs up, too. I would be honored to serve her. She’s a tough cookie and a really good soul.

All in all, it was a good day in the heart of Attleboro. Ward 5A is our smallest precinct but a vibrant one.

                                       Keep your chin up.

                                                               Ty

On the Trail with Ty: 9/12/18

Today I biked the length of Pleasant Street on the 4A side of the street. Several Pleasant Street residents pointed out the big potholes and numerous cracks in the state highway section of Pleasant Street, out to the Norton town line. Nobody could remember when the state last fixed the this section of Pleasant Street. Attleboro has done all of the city’s section.

I am going to reach out to State Representative Jim Hawkins and make sure he is aware.

People really care about their street, their home, their Attleboro.

Where the color blue prevailed. From the campaign trail, Monday 8/13/18

Wow!!! Volunteers John & David and I have put up 107 signs since Saturday, with more to go. We covered Ward 1 in South Attleboro, Ward 2 and 6 on both sides of Capron Park, down West Street, South Ave., County St., South Main St, Thurber, and sections of Oak Hill Ave. We have lots of work to do in other sections of our city but time still permits.

Our sign holders were delighted to receive a magnetic bumper sticker and a button. We found ourselves frequently sharing a yard with Jim Hawkins signs, where the color blue prevailed. We passed Tara Major (Jim Hawkins administrative asst.) putting up a big Hawkins sign on Rome Blvd. Dan and Monica on Rome Blvd. waved at us and asked for a matching sign on the other side of their lawn.

We were having so much fun, no one cared that it was raining most of the day.

Happiness prevailed throughout our visits. Children smiled, dogs even stopped barking once they realized we were welcomed at their homes. This is not my triumph. But rather, I am noticing that people are celebrating a new spirit in the city.

My supporters want better education, smaller classes, outreach to seniors, protection of our environment from possible pipelines and asphalt plants, more transparency within the city council, and cooperation between the city council and our mayor, Paul Heroux.

My supporters want to see Highland Country Club turned into a beautiful park for the entire city and open spaces protected for our enjoyment.

My supporters want Attleboro to grow into a city that cherishes and protects our human rights and where families can feel safe and secure. They want a city that takes care of struggling citizens, offering food and housing to those in need. Our citizens enjoy music in Capron Park, a wonderful zoo, and walking on trails in protected forests.

We love Attleboro and want to celebrate living here. More signs to put up tomorrow.