Tantasqua Town Common ~ September 18, 2008

By Jennifer Grybowski
Turley Publications Reporter

BROOKFIELD – Brookfield resident Stephen J. Comtois II is running for state representative of the fifth Worcester District, which includes Barre, Brookfield, Hardwick, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Petersham, Phillipston, Spencer (Precincts 2 and 3), Templeton, Ware (Precinct A) and West Brookfield.

According to his Web site, Comtois is a life-long resident of Massachusetts; a small business owner for 15 years; a professionally licensed vocational educator; a former Brookfield School Committee member; a member of the Small Business Service Bureau ; and a member of the Brookfield Rod and Gun. He is married and has a 12-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. He is campaigning by calling constituents on the phone, knocking on doors and trying to get to as many events as he can.

Although Comtois is a registered republican, he said he is more interested in representing his constituents, rather than a party.

“I chose to be a republican because of their platform of being fiscally responsible and for smaller government,” he said.

Comtois also ran for the same seat two years ago, and says the issues and reasons he is running are the same as last time. His goal is to “take this commonwealth back.”

“Business as usual is not working for the working man,” he said. “It’s not about rhetoric but a much-needed different direction to make a change.”

During this election, he will be facing Spencer resident Anne M. Gobi, who he also faced last time.

“I like Anne as an individual, but it’s her voting record,” Comtois said. “She is a very active personality in the community; it is her job to be in the spotlight. But a large part of the job is voting. My opinion is, her voting is affecting us in a negative way.”

Comtois said he has had the opportunity to speak with thousands of people within the district, and the biggest issue is the economy. He pointed to state lottery monies left unreturned to communities; an all-time high number of bonds taken out for the MassPike and the “T”; bonuses for underperforming state workers; tax credits for entities that rake in high revenues; and the state income tax rate of 5.3 percent, instead of the flat 5 percent the commonwealth voted for years ago.

“The governor promised lower taxes, but I haven’t seen any change in my bill,” he said. “We exceeded tax revenue by $500 million this year and it is all gone. The people have it right. It’s the economy and I don’t think [the representatives] get it. There is no slowdown in spending.”
Comtois is also a big proponent of education. His wife is a teacher in Dudley, and Comtois himself has previously taught carpentry at Tantasqua Regional High School. Comtois said he will also fight for father’s rights; constitutional issues, such as the recent vote to circumvent the electoral college process, which he is not a proponent for; marriage, in which he is a firm believer that the people should have the right to vote on, no matter how they feel; and support for our law enforcement and fire personnel.

Most of all, he said, he wants to keep Massachusetts the best state in the nation, and that he doesn’t want his children growing up and realizing they can find a better life somewhere else.

“Two years ago, people were upset,” he said. “Now they are angry. I believe we have the opportunity to revolt every two years [through elections]. We have a choice to change our representation to do better. I offer that new direction so badly needed.”