Published in the October 24, 2016 edition.

By BOB BURGESS

WAKEFIELD — With just over two weeks left before the Nov. 8 election, State Rep. Donald Wong and challenger Jennifer Migliore squared off Thursday at the WCAT studio, making their cases that this Ninth Essex District race is either about the past and the future, or about experience and inexperience.

Wong, the three term incumbent Republican from Saugus, talked about what he has been able to do for the district, which includes Wakefield’s precincts 1, 2 and 7. Migliore, a Saugus Democrat who was an aide to Congressman Seth Moulton, pointed out that so much more can be done and that residents are being “shortchanged” on Beacon Hill because Wong is not a member of the dominant party there.

Migliore said better constituent services must be provided to those living in the Ninth Essex and that her new vision of the future would include fixing roads, improving education and bringing biotechnology and advanced manufacturing jobs the the people of Wakefield, Saugus and Lynn.

“I will deliver real results,” the recent Wellesley College graduate said in her closing statement. “We deserve better.”

Wong pointed out that for eight years, Migliore was away at private schools and for nine months worked as a government aide. The owner of Saugus’ Kowloon restaurant and a former Saugus selectman and Town Meeting member said his opponent has no experience with any kind of budget but her own.

“I have a track record of leadership and of delivering for the district,” Wong said. “I have crossed political party lines to get things done. I am the candidate with the experience and knowledge to help this district. I am running to continue to do my job, not to get a job.”

During the candidates’ forum, moderated by David Watts Jr., Migliore and Wong were asked questions by members of the area media, including the Wakefield Item’s Mark Sardella.

Migliore strongly supports building a new Wakefield Memorial High. “Education is a top priority of mine,” she said. “I want to make sure the people of this district have all the opportunities I had growing up. We need a new high school in Wakefield.

Wong said “it’s not up to me” to decide whether a new high school should be built; that’s a decision for voters to make. His job, he said, is to work as hard as he can to carry out the will of the voters.

“If it’s decided (that a new high school will be built), I will work tooth and nail as an advocate” to make sure the state pays its share of the project costs.

Wong and Migliore were asked about the water quality of Lake Quannapowitt and what can be done to improve it.

Migliore said she used to swim in the Lake when she was younger. She then explained that she is a “strong, passionate advocate” for the environment and “we must fight for our fair share of local aid” so these community “jewels” in the district can be protected.

Wong quickly agreed that the lake is a “hidden jewel,” saying he helped to secure $100,000 to cover the cost of taking down two big monopoles and putting the utilities underground at the head of the Lake.

“We’re also trying to improve the water,” he said, adding he has discussed the issue with Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio.

Both candidates said they were against privatizing public transportation, with Migliore arguing that there is not guarantee that the quality of services provided by the MBTA would get better with a private vendor. Wong said he wanted to see better negotiations between the state and the T and pointed out current maintenance problems plaguing the system.

Partners HealthCare wants to close Union Hospital on Lynnfield Street in Lynn within the next three years. The candidates were asked how they are working to try to keep it open and, if unsuccessful, what the best future use of the property would be.

Wong said he would like to see a veterans hospital there which would serve those on the North Shore. He also he has argued that emergency room services should continue to be provided.

Migliore said she is “adamantly opposed” to Union closing “and we will all need to work together” to keep it open. If the hospital does close, she asked, “What do get in return?”

Emergency room services must remain, she said.

Both Migliore and Wong said they vote against referendum Question 4 on the Nov. 8 ballot, which seeks to legalize marijuana. Wong said this request is coming just as the state has “finally reduced the tobacco industry’s hold on our kids.” He said the money generated in tax revenue for the state pales in comparison to the cost of substance abuse treatment and enforcement.

“This is not a bargain,” he said.

Migliore said the state hasn’t done enough to support the efforts to provide medical marijuana yet. And that was passed a couple of years ago.

“The legislation as written is flawed and would cause great harm to our children,” she said.

Migliore said she will be a full-time state representative, inferring that Wong has “other interests” that may prevent him from working for the district all the time. She also said that as a restaurant owner, he might even have a conflict of interest in certain votes he has cast.

“We need to have more,” she said. “I will answer your phone calls. I will run through brick walls for you.”

Wong countered that he is a 24/7 state representative. He said he is out in the district all the time, even on Saturdays and Sundays, and explained that he has also co-sponsored over 90 bills. He mentioned he has brought money into the district so police can administer Narcan to drug overdosers, money to get rid of the monopoles at the head of Lake Quannapowitt, money for a robotics program in Saugus, $25,000 for the Wakefield DPW, as well as funds for many other uses.

“Judge me,” he said, “on what I’ve brought back to the community.”

The candidates were asked how well served Wakefield is by the MBTA.

Later in the debate, Wong said that before any vote on a business-related matter in the House of Representatives, he first checks with the state Ethics Commission to ensure he has no conflict.

Migliore said “Our district is not getting its fair share. This election is about the past and the future. We need better services. It feels like our infrastructure is crumbling. We need major improvements and we need them soon.”

At one point late last year the MBTA tried to eliminate the 5:15 commuter train to Wakefield. Wong said he worked with residents and others to get it reinstated.

Migliore said passing an amendment to the so called Millionaire’s Tax bill would create money to fix roads and improve school buildings. She said Wong voted against putting the amendment on the ballot and thus opposed giving the people a voice in the conversation.

Wong said the legislation is flawed and there is no guarantee the money raised would go to roads and school. Once the money goes into the state’s general fund, he said, it is very difficult to get it out for the money’s intended use.

Migliore said she is for a thriving economy, bringing biotechnology and advanced manufacturing jobs to the district, stronger constituent services and better educational opportunities for all students.

Wong said his priorities will be the economy, jobs, education, senior citizen and veterans advocacy and dealing with the opioid addiction crisis.

The candidates were asked whether illegal aliens should be given driver’s licenses. Migliore said they should not.

Wong went a few steps farther. “What don’t we understand about the word ‘illegal’?” he asked. “I want to get services for those people who are here legally.”

Both candidates also said they’d be voting no on a ballot question that would lift the current cap on charter schools in Massachusetts.

Wong said over 100 school committees across the state are opposed to the move, adding that the expansion of charter schools would in essence create an “unfair two level system of education” here. He added both his son and daughter-in-law are public school teachers and he expressed pride in that.

Migliore, who has been endorsed by several education groups including the Mass. Teachers Association and is the daughter of a public school teacher, said she was glad to see Wong has come around to her way of thinking on charter schools, explaining that in 2014 he actually voted to expand the cap on them.

Wong and Migliore were asked if taxes in Massachusetts were too high.

Migliore said, “Families are struggling. We need to provide parents with all day free kindergarten like here in Wakefield. I feel taxes are fine the way they are except we need to pass that Millionaire’s Tax amendment.”

Wong countered that the state still must get better at managing the money it takes into its coffers. “We need to help the hard core working class,” he said. “The cook. The waitress. The waiter. I see it every day. We need to treat them with compassion.”

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Thursday’s debate will air two or three times a day until Nov. 8. It can be seen on Verizon Channel 42, Comcast Channel 22 and RCN channel 13. Check the listings for exact times.

You can also watch it on the Wakefield Community Access TV page on Facebook.