Community Corner

Letter: Morin Asks For Residents' Votes In Sept. 11 Primary

Dist. 49 challenger asks for chance to help Woonsocket thrive.

 

To The Editor:

When you grow up the youngest of seven children, as I did, you learn very quickly how to protect yourself. It is in this spirit of protecting myself that I also learned the value of protecting others. I became a firefighter because I wanted to protect the people of Woonsocket. Now, I want to be your next state representative because we need a leader who will protect the great city of Woonsocket. 

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My name is Michael A. Morin and I’m running for the Rhode Island General Assembly in Representative District 49. I’ve been a resident of Woonsocket for more than 40 years.

Born to George and Ann, I was the youngest of seven children, growing up in the Fairmount section of the city, where we were all communicants of Sacred Heart Church. My father spent his career as an educator, earning his master’s degree from Providence College while working full time and later retiring as principal of Woonsocket High School. My mother was a stay-at-home mom until I was almost finished with school, returning to the workforce in 1981 at Amica Mutual Insurance Company. She retired in 2003.

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I attended Woonsocket High School, a member of the Class of 1983. Growing up, I learned from my parents the meanings of integrity and responsibility–and that I had to be accountable for my decisions. As the son of a dedicated public servant who spent his entire adult life educating students, I also wanted to give back to the community that offered me so much.

In 1987, I joined the Woonsocket Fire Department as a firefighter and I’ve been serving the residents proudly ever since. Not long after I became a member of the Fire Department, I enrolled at the Community College of Rhode Island, eventually graduating in 1995 with a degree in fire sciences. Learning more about the profession and the intricacies of firefighting has helped enable me to attain the rank of captain on the Fire Department.  And for the last three years, I’ve also served in the Fire Marshal’s office.

Becoming a firefighter means joining the union, and that’s something I’ve taken seriously since my hiring. Knowing someone had my back in contract negotiations or a grievance hearing was just as important as knowing the guys in my firehouse had my back when we entered a burning building. I’ve risen to the presidency of Local 732 of the IAFF by being a person my fellow firefighters can count on.

During the last contract negotiations, we helped identify and help save the city $4.5 million. Making structural changes to healthcare and benefit packages wasn’t popular with my members, but it saved jobs and it saved the city millions of dollars in tough financial times. This is the kind of cooperative spirit I will bring to Woonsocket’s General Assembly delegation. I am willing to work with anyone as long as it is in the best interest of the city.

I have many ideas about how to fix Woonsocket’s problems, and you will hear these ideas as my campaign progresses. It is also important that you know I will be accountable and accessible to the people of District 49. I plan on walking the entire district and I look forward to meeting you, and hearing your concerns.  You can contact me any time at mmorin732@cox.net or 401-769-5099 with your ideas about how we can make Woonsocket better.

Many people look at Woonsocket and see a city on the verge of receivership. I look at my home town and see nearly unlimited potential–a place we can be proud to live, own a business and raise a family. Hopefully, my optimism will be contagious as people realize that this great city can thrive once again.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I humbly ask for your vote on Sept. 11 in the Democratic Primary. Together, we can turn this great city around.

— Michael A. Morin


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