Christy Mihos: Notes From The Campaign Trail

Thursday, June 8, 2006
Christy Mihos announces Sullivan as LG pick

Reporters from newspapers and television stations packed the Christy 2006 headquarters at 9 Park St. this afternoon when Christy introduced his running mate, John Sullivan.

John, a lifelong Democrat, gave up his party affiliation in March and became an independent. He brings with him 35 years of experience as a public official in municipal government. He has also served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and as president and chief executive of three major corporations.

John lives with his wife Leah in Winchester. Christy is excited to have him as part of the team. For more information about John and to see a picture of the next governor and lieutenant governor of the Commonwealth, check out the campaign's press release at http://christy2006.com/pages/press_releases_details.cfm?releaseid=14

Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Christy Mihos talks to 650 people at affordable housing forum

At a forum on affordable housing hosted by the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance Wednesday night, Christy Mihos told the more than 650 people in attendance he will fully fund the Soft Second Loan Program at $5 million in his first budget and will look for ways to increase the funding.

"$5 million is not enough," Christy told the crowd. "We have to look at the formula."

Christy also supports the passage of MAHA legislation that would extend parts of the Community Reinvestment Act of mortgage companies and he would also urge the incoming Massachusetts Attorney General to make paint companies pay for de-leading homes. The state should also spend $40 million or more annually on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, up from its current funding level of $20 million.

"We are in crisis mode in the Commonwealth," Mihos said. "The Commonwealth is unaffordable."

The crowd cheered loudly for Christy, but they weren't as nice to the other candidates. Members of MAHA booed when organizers announced that Attorney General Tom Reilly, Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey and venture capitalist Chris Gabrieli were not attending the event. The organization handed out postcards designed to let residents tell those absent candidates how they felt.

The postcards read: "Dear Candidate [NAME], I came to the MAHA meeting tonight, June 7^th, at the Reggie Lewis Center. I am disappointed that you chose not to attend. Affordable Homeownership is very important to me."

Residents signed the cards with their name and address and gave them to organizers, who planned to send them to three missing campaigns.

Organizations attending an informational session before the forum raffled off items after the candidates spoke, including Red Sox tickets and gift cards. All candidates coming to the event got a raffle ticket. Christy did his part by raffling off a gift card good for 100 gallons of gasoline at Christy's convenience stores.