"Governance that is clean, open, diligent, responsible, and effective."

These letters were published November 17 in the Belmont Citizen-Herald:

From Monte Allen and Sara Oaklander of 88 Farnham Street in Belmont:

In the primary election on Dec. 13, we have the opportunity to elect a new State Senator to represent us. Wouldn't it be nice to be represented by a State Senator who takes positions based on information rather than ideology? Someone who asks, "If we enact that policy, what would it actually look like?" Wouldn't it be nice to be represented by a State Senator who actually does the math and combs through the facts that ought to be the basis for a decision? Someone who cares more about the merits of a policy than the political consequences for himself? Wouldn't it be nice to elect a State Senator who is so transparent that he actively invites us to participate in his thought process?

Well, it would be nice. And we know, because we have benefited from Will’s service as a Belmont Selectman and as our State Representative and we know him to be someone who takes a transparent and analytic approach to policy-making. Will has become an influential member of the State legislature because everyone knows that he checks the facts, does the math, develops a clear picture of the consequences, is beholden to no one, talks with his constituents, and has unquestioned integrity.

By voting for Will, you will be voting for governance that is clean, open, diligent, responsible, and effective.

- Monte Allen and Sara Oaklander

From Joel Semuels, 18 Bellevue Road, Belmont:

When I was growing up and was reluctant to get involved in a difficult or challenging event, my mother used to tell me "where there's a will, there's a way." She meant that if you were prepared, knowledgeable, responsible and kept at it, you would have a good chance at meeting life's challenges.

While I have tried to live by my mother's advice, I believe that Belmont voters will soon have an opportunity to promote our own prepared, knowledgeable and responsible "Will", state representative Will Brownsberger in the special Democratic State Senate primary election on Tuesday, December 13th.

I have been a resident of Belmont for thirty-three years and am an attorney with over thirty-five years of experience representing and advocating for elders in the Commonwealth. I appreciate Will's strong support of the state services and resources that help seniors remain healthy in their homes and avoid institutionalization -- including home care, the Community First Initiative, abuse prevention, elder mental health funding and councils on aging grants. He has consistently sponsored or cosponsored budget amendments on these issues. He has also been active and effective in state pension reform to curb abuses and make the system fairer for employees, retirees and taxpayers.

I believe that Will is the best candidate to extend expertise gained in the one hundred-sixty member House to the forty member Senate to represent Belmont, Watertown as well as precincts in Brighton, Alston and Cambridge.

- Joel Semuels

From Bob and Chris Kochem, 21 Jason Road, Belmont:

We respectfully ask that you vote for Will Brownsberger in the special primary election on Tuesday, December 13th to complete Steven Tolman's term as our state senator.

As Belmont's Selectman and then our Representative, Will has been a hard-working and open-minded servant of the needs of all his constituents. Will makes himself available at all times to hear from voters, including those who disagree with his policy decisions. His accessibility is as consistent as it is remarkable.

Will is also a tireless reformer who combines a long-range perspective with careful attention to the problems of the moment. He has fought for transparency in government decision-making and full disclosure of the financial information that policymakers use. His constituent web site, www.willbrownsberger.com, gives a broad and highly informed perspective on Will’s priorities and the feedback he constantly solicits from all residents of his district. Will believes in a caring, thoughtful, and—most of all—sustainable Commonwealth. He has no patience for special-interest lobbying or the "business as usual" culture that too often permeates the workings of Beacon Hill. Efficiency and openness are central to his vision of how state government should work.

Will's intelligence, compassion, work ethic, and willingness to communicate make him the clear choice to represent Belmont and the other communities in our state senate district. We hope you will join us in supporting Will Brownsberger on Tuesday, December 13th.

- Bob and Chris Kochem