Michael Denice: Seeking a 'Fresh' Perspective for Milford
Michael Denice, 26, is conducting his first run for public office in his race for an open seat on the Board of Selectmen.
Michael Denice is a candidate for Milford Selectman.
Courtesy Michael Denice
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Michael Denice, 26, works under contract for Aer Lingus and is an FAA licensed pilot. He is conducting his first race for public office and is seeking a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen. Well known in Milford for a tragedy that involved his brother, the late Matthew Denice, Michael Denice said he thinks Milford needs a fresh perspective from a new candidate. Denice, a graduate of Milford High School, will graduate from Utah Valley University with a bachelor's degree in aviation science, once his flight hours are documented. He is running against incumbent Dino DeBartolomeis, who is seeking re-election to an 11th term. The election is April 2.
Editor's Note: What follows is an edited transcript of an interview with Denice in which local reporters asked his position on several issues. An interview with DeBartolomeis will be published Tuesday.
Q: Why are you seeking a seat on the Board of Selectmen?
A: I'm young, I'm energetic. I don't have any ties to businesses here in Milford. I'm open minded and I believe I can create a lot of change. It's time we take a stance and take change for Milford. I've always had an interest in politics, even local politics. The Board of Selectmen in Milford have made a lot of promises and have been unresponsive to them. There have been issues with the water in the past year, issues with crime that have not been addressed, and issues with immigration.
Q: What distinguishes you from your opponent?
A: Dino has served our town for 30 years. The town has changed a lot over the past 30 years. The town's sort of been going downhill and the current Board of Selectmen has been unresponsive to that. Crime has gone up drastically in Milford over the last five years. From 2005 to 2010, burglaries in Milford have gone up 225 percent. Larcenies have gone up 167 percent. Three people were killed by unlicensed drivers. Every day you can read the police log about all of these crimes that are being committed. The Board of Selectmen has a responsiblity to provide a safe place, here in Milford, for the residents.
Q: Will the issue of illegal immigration alone decide this race?
A: I think it's a big issue. I don't think it's going to be the deciding issue. I think what's important is definitely implementing a few things that would reduce the number of illegal immigrants here. There's a lot that could be done. Right now, Massachusetts as a state is a safe haven for illegal immigrants because of our lax laws. In Milford, if enough pressure was put on the issue, it would drive them to another town, as terrible as it sounds.
Q: What are the other top issues in Milford?
A: The major issues are illegal immigration and crime ... along with the casino proposal.
Q: How would you increase a town budget for, example, the police department, without increasing taxes?
A: Obviously, budget cuts would have to be made elsewhere. You would have to cut corners. Right now, I don't have specifics on what I would cut.
Q: Do you support keeping a higher tax rate for businesses than residential in Milford?
A: The feedback from the community is residential taxes, they don't want them raised. I'm in favor of keeping the tax rate for businesses as it is, which is higher than the residential tax rate. One thing I would be open to, to bring new businesses, large firms, is to offer a tax break to them for the first few years for new businesses, coming into Milford, to bring more jobs.
Q: What is your position on a casino in Milford?
A: Personally, as a member of this town, I'm against a casino. It would put a strain on town services. There would be an increase in crime, in drunk driving and traffic violations. I think it would bring property prices down. There are some people in favor of it because it would bring jobs to Milford. It's important we get the research and allow the community, the town citizens, to vote on it. It should go to a townwide vote. It's the community's right to vote on it. Personally, I'm against it. I think it would do more harm than good.
Q: Should Milford take over the private utility, Milford Water Co.?
A: That's drastic. I think that should be the last attempt, the last thing the town does. We should be able to have safe drinking water from a private company. If the town were to purchase the water company, it would be a huge, huge financial burden.
Q: What would you say to people who feel you are a one-issue candidate, or that you are not seasoned enough for this job?
A: Immigration is a major issue here in Milford. But I can tackle other issues. In my work experience, I've worked for a Fortune 500 company. Over the past 10 years I've seen many changes in Milford. Getting a fresh person on the Board of Selectmen, who is motivated for change, can help improve the town. Having a new person on the board can bring a lot of energy, and new light, to things.
In This article
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Milford Selectmen/Town Administrator's Office
52 Main St, Milford, MA -
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Milford High School
31 W Fountain St, Milford, MA -
Jim Rizoli
10:53 am on Monday, March 5, 2012
Good luck to ya....Michael.....they sure could use a new perspective in your town.
Jim@ccfiile.com
Babs01757
10:55 am on Monday, March 5, 2012
I went to Michael Denice's Meet and Greet last week and I was impressed with how much he knows about the issues in town. He has a lot of life experience and work experience for someone his age. I thought he was going to focus on immigration but he discussed many different town issues, some I wasn't even aware of. The best part is had a solution for most of the issues. He seemed honest, sincere and most of all had a true desire to work towards making Milford a better place to live. I know our crime rate isn't like Roxbury and Dorchester, but I am not living in those towns. When I saw the numbers it was surprising. I have lived in Milford most of my life and decided to stay living Miflord and raise my family in Milford because it was a very nice place to live. Everything is nearby (stores, doctors, etc), good schools and was safe. I live on a side road and always felt safe with my kids playing outside once they were middle school age. If my kids were that age now, I'd be terrified they would get run over by an unlicensed, untrained driver. Now I worry because my kids are driving on the same roads as these people. I used to only worry when drove at night or on the highway now I worry every time they drive. Michael Denice has my vote.
Jim Rizoli
11:15 am on Monday, March 5, 2012
You have to take your town back one Selectman at a time.
Jim@ccfiile.com
Joe Rizoli
12:31 pm on Monday, March 5, 2012
I think what bothers me about politics is that sometimes people in office try to be all things to everybody. You'd think the mindset of the current Selectmen would be one of anger and outrage about this Matthew Denice case but they are not. WHY? Because they don't want to upset the apple cart. We need people in office who do FEEL in their souls and have feelings to outrages like this Illegal Immigrant drunk driving case, WHERE is the public outrage? Michael seems to be level headed and has feelings, that he has made public. We KNOW where he stands about illegal immigration. We need to get the "politically correct" people out of office and put people who can set an example and not be afraid of upsetting those who live in the town that are lawbreakers or Illegal. We need to fix the foundations of our towns political outlook. As of now you'd think three deaths caused by illegals would wake the towns Fathers up but apparently it hasn't. Time for new blood in the town Government. Enough public blood has been spilled.
Joe Rizoli
SomeoneOrSomething
1:11 pm on Monday, March 5, 2012
"I think what bothers me about politics is that sometimes people in office try to be all things to everybody."
Good point.
Jim Rizoli
3:11 pm on Monday, March 5, 2012
You can't please everyone....so you want to please yourself you won't get many votes..If you sell you soul to the devil than you will get plenty of votes and the town will go down the crap shoot pretty quickly.
Pick your poison, do you want slow death or quick death.
Jim@ccfiile.com
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Live and In Color
3:27 pm on Monday, March 5, 2012
Hope the kid does well, time for a change, got my vote.
milfordman
6:38 am on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Good luck Michael. Nice to see a fresh face.
Time for a change.
Danu
7:52 am on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Mike, you have my vote.
unclkebuck
9:01 am on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Thanks for running Mike, time to change up the status-quo.
Mark Cain
1:17 pm on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
11 terms or 30 years is way to long! WOW. Time for a new face is right! I can tell that Mike is just the new face the drowning town of Milford needs. Good luck young man.
Ray Fellows
11:24 pm on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Good luck Michael but there is a Dino sign in my yard. The town is doing well, statistics show crime is DOWN. You cant start off your political career with a position as important as selectman. You need to start on a committee and get some experience before being one of the 3 people who run this town.
Thank you Dino for all your tireless work and making Milford a place I have been proud to raise my children in. I look forward to you continuing that good work.
Myd Nevins
6:19 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
Have to agree. Denice just doesn't yet have the overall experience in my opinion. Someday he may and it would be great to see him succeed in politics. But not yet.
Jim Rizoli
12:56 am on Thursday, March 8, 2012
Ray.....looks like you're out voted here...
Is there something these folks know that you don't?
Jim@ccfiile.com
Mary MacDonald
7:10 am on Thursday, March 8, 2012
Of course, three people here don't live in Milford, so this is what you would call an unofficial vote Jim. Kind of like the ones that don't count... :)
Jim Rizoli
9:28 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
So let me get this strainght....You have a politician who's been in office for 30 yrs the town goes to pot and some people don't think it's time for him to go?
If he worked in the private sector he wouldn't of lasted a few years.
Why is it when we have public personal in charge of things and conditions go down hill people are so foregiving?
In regards to a person not having "experience" when Dino took over 30 yrs ago how much experience do you think he had then?
I look at this way, if you aren't doing the job the people think you should be doing then it's time to go.
Another thing...there should be some sorts of term limits for town positions.
But on the other hand if this is what you want from an elected official then you are getting what you want.
Jim@ccfiile.com
Myd Nevins
9:50 pm on Thursday, March 8, 2012
Once again Jim, you jump to extremes. The town has not gone to pot as you claim. This is not a sign of an apocolypse to come. Yes, MY town of Milford has problems. But so does every other town on the map. Including YOUR town of Framingham.
David Nolta
5:30 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
Thank you as always Myd for standing up for logic!!
Jim Rizoli
12:03 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
Framingham is gone.....just trying to show you folks in Milford where Framingham has failed and what you have to do to stop your town from having the same results.
We've tried to warn you lets see where you go with it.
Jim@ccfiile.com