January 20, 2010
Dear friends and neighbors,
Today I announced my intention to run for State Representative, now that the incumbant, Lida Harkins, has made the decision to run for State Senate. (See the attached press release.)
This Web site will become an active means of communication with you as the race unfolds. For now, however, it is "under construction". Come back soon, though, because we will have it back in full gear very soon!
Needham Selectman Jerry Wasserman, candidate for State Representative
Needham, MA (January 20, 2010) --- Needham Selectman Jerry Wasserman today announced his intention to run for State Representative. Lida Harkins, who currently occupies the seat, has announced she will vacate the position in order to run for the State Senate.
"My years in public service have been spent fighting for the needs of Needham, Dover and Medfield, and towns like them," Wasserman said. "My long experience in local government, and my work at the State level will enhance my effectiveness to represent the district."
Jerry Wasserman is a Selectman in Needham and has served twice as Chair. Previously he served on the Needham School Committee for 9 years and has been a Town Meeting Member for 18 years. Jerry's service on the Governor's Local Government Advisory Committee has spanned two administrations, serving under both Governors Patrick and Romney. For the last five years, Wasserman has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Mass. Municipal Association, and he serves on the Board of the Mass Selectman's Association, where he held the position of President for two years. Previously, he served eight years as chairman of the Suburban Coalition, an organization of Boards of Selectmen and School Committees that have banded together to speak with one voice at the state level on issues of common interest. Through this leadership, Jerry has been instrumental in the passage of such groundbreaking legislation as the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit and the bill providing a guaranteed funding floor for local aid for education.
"The issues that are central to me are those that are important to every resident of these three towns - job creation through support for small businesses, increased local aid for education and public safety, and property tax relief," Wasserman declared. "I also want the state to increase its focus on environmental protection and be more transparent in its operation. The reaction of people in the district to my years of effort and experience working on these issues has been encouraging"
Professionally, Jerry is a management consultant specializing in human resources and strategic planning. As an educator, Mr. Wasserman taught Management at Suffolk University, the University of Massachusetts and Berklee College of Music. Previously, he was a Health Care administrator. He earned his MBA from Columbia University Graduate School Of Business, and a BA in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts. He and his wife Joan have been married for nearly 30 years. Their son Michael, a graduate of Needham High School, is currently Director of Development at The Bottom Line, a non-profit helping inner-city students in meeting higher education goals.
As a strong supporter of public education, Jerry received an award as "Community Leader for Public Education" in 2002 from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC).