Newton Attorney Joins Race For State Rep.
Al Cecchinelli a rare Republican in mostly Democratic region.
Add another candidate to the growing field running for the 10th Middlesex state representative seat.
Al Cecchinelli, a 46-year old Newton resident, is running for the seat former state rep. Peter Koutoujian vacated this year when he was appointed as the interim Middlesex County Sheriff. The seat covers parts of Waltham, Watertown and Newton.
“I was thinking of expanding my run to some areas conducive to a Republican running,” Cecchinelli said when asked why he was running.
Cecchinelli joins Watertown Town Councilor John Lawn, Waltham City Councilor Gary Marchese, Newton Alderman Allan Ciccone and Waltham resident Sean Durkee in the race. Republican James Dixon, of Waltham, is also running.
If elected, Cecchinelli said he would focus on several issues. One of them — passing a proposed law that would keep repeat criminal offenders behind bars, instead of releasing them on parole, said Cecchinelli. The recent murder of a Woburn police officer, he said, highlights the need for passing the law.
Cecchinelli also said he wants to work toward lowering the state’s income tax form 5.3-percent to 5-percent, which voters approved in several years ago, but legislators never implemented it.
Revamping the state’s gun permitting system is also on Cecchinelli’s radar. He said he wants to create a comprehensive system that would remove approval powers from local chiefs of police.
“I think we need to do something about gun permitting,” he said.
Overall, Cecchinelli described himself as a unique Republican. He said he supports gay marriage but is a fiscal conservative.
“I’m not the average republican. I’m actually fairly liberal on social issues,” he said. “I’m more of a free thinking Republican.”
Cecchinelli cited several reasons why he thinks he would make a good elected official. Before becoming an attorney, Cecchinelli worked as a chef for 25 years, which he said made him realize the struggles many people endure to make ends meet each month. That, he said, would help him empathize with constituents’ needs.
This race is not Cecchinelli’s first run in politics. He has unsuccessfully run for a Newton alderman seat three times and is the currently the president of the Newton Taxpayers Association. He hopes to use those skills to benefit the district’s constituents.
“I look forward to serving. I think I have got some fresh ideas,”
The primary election will be held Tuesday, April 12, and the general election will be held Tuesday, May 10.
g field running for the 10th Middlesex state representative seat.
Al Cecchinelli, a 46-year old Newton resident, is running for the seat former state rep. Peter Koutoujian vacated this year when was appointed as the interim Middlesex County Sheriff. The seat covers parts of Waltham, Watertown and Newton.
“I was thinking of expanding my run to some areas conducive to a Republican running,” Cecchinelli said when asked why he was running.
Cecchinelli joins Watertown Town Councilor John Lawn, Waltham City Councilor Gary Marchese, Newton Alderman Allan Ciccone and Waltham resident Sean Durkee in the race. Republican James Dixon, of Waltham, is also running.
If elected, Cecchinelli said he would focus on several issues. One of them — passing a proposed law that would keep repeat offenders behind bars, instead of releasing them on parole, said Cecchinelli. The recent murder of a Woburn police officer, he said, highlights the need for passing the law.
Cecchinelli also said he wants to work toward lowering the state’s income tax form 5.3-percent to 5-percent, which voters approved in several years ago, but legislators never implemented it.
Revamping the state’s gun permitting system is also on Cecchinelli’s radar. He said he wants to create a comprehensive system that would remove approval powers from local chiefs of police.
“I think we need to do something about gun permitting,” he said.
Overall, Cecchinelli described himself as a unique Republican. He said he supports gay marriage but is a fiscal conservative.
“I’m not the average republican. I’m actually fairly liberal on social issues,” he said. “I’m more of a free thinking Republican.”
Cecchinelli cited several reasons why he thinks he would make a good elected official. Before becoming an attorney, Cecchinelli worked as a chef for 25 years, which he said made him realize the struggles many people endure to make ends meet each month. That, he said, would help him empathize with constituents’ needs.
This race is not Cecchinelli’s first run in politics. He has unsuccessfully run for a Newton alderman seat three times and is the currently the president of the Newton Taxpayers Association. He hopes to use those skills to benefit the district’s constituents.
“I look forward to serving. I think I have got some fresh ideas,”
The primary election will be held Tuesday, April 12, and the general election will be held Tuesday, May 10.
Diane Parry
7:52 am on Thursday, February 24, 2011
There is a Republican primary on April 12th.
Overall the Patch is doing a good job covering Waltham, and so far, the race for the 10th Middlesex, but I am very disappointed in the omission of Jim Dixon's name in this story.
Jim ran against Peter Koutoujian in November when the contest was lopsided in the extreme.
He saw the need for a change of direction on Beacon Hill and not just an opportunity ( and empty seat) for a political career.
John DiMascio
9:09 am on Thursday, February 24, 2011
This is a no brainer. Dixon is the real deal. He works a real job. And he's a real Republican.
Mr. Cecchinelli is an attorney which is a fine and honorable profession. But we've got enough attorneys on Beacon Hill. And let's face it, the Jenn Nassour strategy of appealing to extreme social liberal element of Democrat Party while alienating the base, didn't work to well for Charlie Baker and Richard Tisei. So it's gonna be a tough race to win to from the Democrats to begin with. If we put up another RINO forget it.
Ryan Grannan-Doll
9:29 am on Thursday, February 24, 2011
@Diane Parry,
Mr. Dixon's name has been added to the story. Thank you mentioning it, and the nice words.
Al Cecchinelli
4:33 am on Friday, February 25, 2011
John, I do not understand your comment about Jim being a real republican. Because I do not follow the party lock step I can not be a real republican? I believe in personal liberty. If the republican dogma tells me I must feel one way and that infringes on the rights of others I hope that I have the convictions to stand up and say that it is not right. As far as a real job, I have a couple. For 25 years I worked as a chef. I have taught culinary arts at Johnson and Wales and Newton North High school. I am also a night auditor at a local hotel and a sales manager at a local recording studio. Are any of these jobs real enough for you? Or do I need to go to flight school to become a state representative?
I am the president of the Newton Taxpayers Association, the vice-chair of the Newton Republican city committee and a lover of freedom.
I would hope that one article on the patch would not be the only thing you use to make up your mind. I can be reached at Al.Cecchinelli@yahoo.com. Drop me an e-mail and we can talk.
Susan
11:02 am on Thursday, February 24, 2011
Who does the editing on these articles? There are so many grammatical errors it barely resembles English. I just can't take an article or media outlet seriously if it doesn't take the time and effort to publish quality material.
As for the race, I don't live in the district; however, I do not support RINO's just because I live in Massachusetts. The residents of this state cave too easily on socially conservative issues and allow themselves to be run by a fiat on Beacon Hill and the state supreme court.
Give the legislature an inch on any liberal issue, and they are sure to take a mile. Therefore, the most conservative people we can elect who will stand up to liberals on Beacon Hill and in Washington are the people the Republican Party of Massachusetts should be supporting.
Denise J. Dubé
12:17 pm on Thursday, February 24, 2011
Susan, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe and every other newspaper or magazine has a "corrections" box inside every issue. Hard as anyone tries -- in any newspaper or magazine -- there are always errors.
If you find something, tell Ryan. He'll fix it, I promise. When I see something I tell him and it's fixed -- immediately. This young man is juggling stories, reporters, columnists and a host of other responsibilities for this invaluable news venue, one that is giving print papers a run for its money. He's working so fast and so hard I'm not surprised that a few things are missed.
Finding hard news that is missed by other established media is something I take seriously. I commend Ryan for the job he's doing -- with or without those grammatical errors.
Ryan Grannan-Doll
12:20 pm on Thursday, February 24, 2011
@Denise, thank you for the kind words.
@Susan, I'm sorry you feel this way. Thanks for reading!
Al Cecchinelli
4:15 am on Friday, February 25, 2011
Diane, thank you for your interest in this race, but I would like you to know that I am not using this race as an opportunity as you put it. I have run for alderman in Newton on three occasions and have been involved in many campaigns over the past 25 years. I am in this for the long run. Please if you support Jim Dixon, that is fine, but please do not denigrate me for his gain. If you would like to speak with me and get to know about my past and my plans for the future please e-mail me. I will make time in my schedule to meet with you and discuss your concerns.
Al.Cecchinelli@yahoo.com
Sally
9:27 am on Friday, February 25, 2011
I have known Al Cecchinelli his whole life and he is very respected by everyone he meets. He has great integrityand very honest. Hopefully, you will think of him come primary election day. Vote for Al Cecchinelli
Anne A.
10:07 am on Friday, February 25, 2011
Guess what? I am a fiscal AND social conservative Republican, living in Newton, who is a FREE thinker! Imagine that. And, I know & respect Al Cecchinelli. We agree & disagree on various issues, but I can have a dialogue with him & we can each respect eachother's views. I also appreciate Jim Dixon's candidacy [http://www.electjimdixon.com] and will need to make a difficult choice in April, but I am thrilled to actually have CHOICES in this race. Al's candidacy is viable, because he has SERVED by investing time, energy & ideas into the political landscape in this state, more than many folks I know. Also, he'll tell you how he sees things & what he thinks without trying to be politically correct. What a refreshing trait in this climate. Al has a huge heart & cares deeply about people & understands the way politics play a role in our city & state. So, dig deeper & make an informed choice. Thank God there are people who are willing to run & give us choices.
michael
11:59 am on Friday, February 25, 2011
I have known Al Cecchinelli for a very long time and i can tell u all that Al is a good man,dedicated to his family and friends, a man that fights for what he believes in and cares about others opinions and thoughts.I too am a Republican but im an Al Cecchinelli Republican, meaning i have my own mind and there are times when there is a call to be a free thinker. Giving ur vote to Al Cecchinelli will be a swing in the right direction and thats why he gets my vote.
MoeJoe Marino
12:03 pm on Friday, February 25, 2011
I'm not a political person, but I can say VOTE FOR AL, it would be nice to have someone I actually trust representing us : )!
Beth D'Amato
5:22 pm on Friday, February 25, 2011
Mr. Cecchinelli - no offense, but you sound like a thin skinned Liberal to me. What I mean is – do you have to personally address the posters who don't like you or don't agree with you? Of course you can do that if you want but it makes you sound defensive and petty. I’m sure you’re a very nice man but I have to be honest, you lost me when you quipped the remark to one poster: Are any of these jobs real enough for you? Or do I need to go to flight school to become a state representative? Or the other comment: Please if you support Jim Dixon, that is fine, but please do not denigrate me for his gain.
No one is denigrating you, sir. I believe the poster meant where the hell were all these candidates last year? I thought the very same thing! Was the reason because everyone just assumed the mighty P. Koutoujian was unbeatable? None of these candidates gave the voters that choice to make.
Lastly, if your that liberal in social matters maybe you should run under the banner of Independent. Repubs are usually conservative socially AND fiscally. You could fall into the category of a RINO and nobody likes a RINO.
Beth D (Reagan Conservative)
michael
11:32 am on Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Hi Beth- 1st i would like to say i dont think responding to posts or posters who Al disagrees with is being "thin skinned, defensive or petty. Isnt that what makes this country so great that we all can have open debates??? Even Reagan Conservatives are for open debate im sure.2nd Making the comment "Or do I need to go to flight school to become a state representative?" is just a way of showing how hard it is to become elected as a Republican in this state and also the the way most republicans feel when running for office in a VERY liberal state.so i belive there was no malice intended.And lets give some credit where its due the seat is now available and Al is stepping up to the challange,and if your unsatisfied with his Republican views then you as a self proclaimed Reagan Republican should run urself...
Stephen Lanciloti
5:30 pm on Friday, February 25, 2011
Yeah, Al Cecchinelli is a friend of mine!
Al's civic mindedness, generosity and integrity
make him an invaluable asset regardless where
he applies his skill set!
Al's the man for State Rep. because he sees the
entire "field".
Tellnoone
5:53 pm on Friday, February 25, 2011
Al If you are : I am also a night auditor at a local hotel and a sales manager at a local recording studio & an Attorney where will you possibly squeeze in the time to be a State Rep. That is what has been done in the past. Take the State Rep as a title and a check put out a couple fires and get a reward like a city or state title job. By the way what will you do to make sure the laws apply to all citizens and not just the UNconnected. As you know our past state rep is now the Registrar of MV but her family members can get three DUIS wrapped into one and make it disappear !! He also is a state employee. So what are your proposals on all ths preferential treatment? Or do you also have one of those little stickers in the back of your car??
Beth D'Amato
12:31 am on Saturday, March 5, 2011
Hi Michael,
All I said was that he "sounded" defensive. I never said anything about not having open debates. And I'm sorry but the comment he made, "Are any of these jobs real enough for you? Or do I need to go to flight school to become a state rep" ....was a dig because Jim Dixon is an airline pilot & a former Navy pilot. No hard feelings... Take care, Beth