Merrimack Valley

Hill, Bumiller vie for 4th Essex seat in House

By Steve Landwehr
STAFF WRITER
Published: November 2, 2008

Republican Bradford Hill is seeking his sixth consecutive term as the House representative from the 4th Essex District in Tuesday's election. Democratic challenger Donald Bumiller is in his first race for elected office.

The district consists of Hamilton, Wenham, Ipswich and Manchester-by-the-Sea, Precincts 1 and 3 in Boxford, and Precinct 2 in Middleton.

Hill was unopposed last year and two years earlier defeated Democratic challenger Tim Purinton.

Both candidates were asked about their stances on issues of the day last week.

Do you support Question 1, to repeal the state income tax?

Bumiller: "No. If you do, the effects will ripple through the economy at the worst possible time."

Hill: "No. Seniors, who pay no income taxes, will be hit hardest. Second, shouldn't we know what's going to be cut before we vote? Third, there will be cuts in local aid, and if they cut local aid I can assure you the Legislature will be asked to look at ways to amend Prop. 21âÑ2. And fifth, if you abolish the income tax, our bond rating will go to junk status. How will we repair and rebuild our infrastructure then?"

Do you support Question 2, to decriminalize personal possession of marijuana?

Bumiller: "It should stay illegal. I've never seen anyone sent to jail for possessing marijuana, unless they were selling it or selling it near a school or had a giant quantity. I do support broadening legal protection of information. If charges are dismissed, it shouldn't stay on your record."

Hill: "No. I do believe marijuana is a gateway drug, and decriminalizing it sends a message to kids that marijuana is OK."

Local officials are steeling themselves for a couple of tough financial years. Realistically, can North Shore cities and towns expect to see even modest increases in state municipal and/or education funding?

Bumiller: "In a piecemeal fashion, at best. Bridge repairs have been long neglected, and railroad crossings have to be improved in Hamilton and Ipswich. Those expenditures have to be made, and it's the job of the representative to get those funds into the district."

Hill: "I don't see any increase in lottery or additional funds — lottery revenues are not coming in as expected."

What can you do as a representative to help the district's communities get through this crisis?

Bumiller: "First of all, we have to take a realistic look around us. There are an awful lot of empty houses in this district."

Bumiller said he supports widening the right-to-cure law, which gives homeowners a 90-day window to try to avoid foreclosure, but he favors making lender participation mandatory. He is not in favor, however, of extending the law to people who shouldn't have gotten loans in the first place.

"I also think we should extend unemployment benefits and give tax credits to employers who hire new workers. Once the ship stops sinking, we should look at enhancing our advantages, the things that will attract high-paying jobs and keep people here."

Hill: "We have $2 billion in (the state's) rainy day fund. This, to me, is what it should be used for. In education, I'm fighting to ensure districts get the 171âÑ2 percent of their foundation budgets they were promised."

One approach to coping with financial strain is regionalization. Is there a leadership role you can take to help communities thoroughly explore all the possibilities?

Bumiller: "It's something the House should be looking at. Going forward, it's an inevitable direction the state has to go. County government is gone, we've got to do things in a new way."

Hill: "I would argue I've been a leader already. I've brought together town managers and administrators, selectmen, Finance Committee members and School Committee members. Town managers and administrators are already talking about regionalizing health care insurance."

Besides the economy, cite two issues you think will dominate the discussion district-wide for the next two years?

Bumiller: "Education funding. The state has to step up and pay a greater share of education funding. Second, I supported the Life Sciences Bill and the Technology Development Corp. Mr. Hill opposed both."

Hill: Local aid will be the top priority, and helping seniors on fixed incomes. Second, is our infrastructure. Even in bad times, I've helped cities and towns make sure their infrastructures were maintained."

Mr. Bumiller, Massachusetts may be a blue state, but the 4th Essex hasn't elected a Democratic representative since prohibition. Why do you think you can break that string?

Bumiller: I know it's a Republican district, and I know it's an inconvenient truth, but a Democrat is in a better position to deliver for the district. The state representative's job is to deliver for the district."

Donald Bumiller

Age: 53

Occupation: Lawyer

Home: Boxford

Family: Married, two children

Party affiliation: Democratic

Bradford Hill

Age: 41

Occupation: State representative

Home: Ipswich

Family: Married, two children

Party affiliation: Republican