Welcome to the campaign to Elect Melissa Freitag State Representative for Falmouth precincts 1, 2, 5 and 6, Martha's Vineyard, the Elizabeth Islands, and Nantucket. We're confident that as you learn more about the candidate, you'll agree that Melissa is the smart choice to represent our District on Beacon Hill and into the future.

Nicole Friedler Photography, Vineyard Haven

As a life-long Bay-Stater with a solid record of serving towns, students, and parents on Cape Cod and the Islands, of dedication to environmental protection, as well as an extensive and rigorous education, Melissa has the credentials, foundation, drive, and passion to make an outstanding representative for our District.

Currently teaching Government and History at Cape Cod Community College, Melissa has forged a successful career teaching thousands of students on the Cape and Islands. As your State Representative, Melissa looks forward to serving Cape and Islands residents, as well as many others throughout the Commonwealth.

The role of the State is to protect the people. The role of State Representative is to listen to, learn about, and act upon the issues and concerns of her constituents. A lifelong teacher and academic, Melissa is ready to apply her skills to advocate for ALL residents of our environmentally exquisite, historically significant, and commercially dynamic home.

Education

• Brown University, Master's degree in history
• Universität Innsbruck, M. Ed. equivalent in Comparative Education
• Smith College, Bachelor's degree in History and Medieval Studies

• Government and History Faculty, Cape Cod Community College
• History Teacher, Nauset Regional High School
• World Language Teacher, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional Schools and Medfield (MA) Public Schools
• German Teacher, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School

• Falmouth Historical Commission, Vice-Chair
• Falmouth Community Preservation Committee
• Orleans Finance Committee
• Orleans Charter Review Committee

• Orleans Water Quality Task Force
• Orleans Conservation Trust
• Nauset Heights Association, Environmental Committee
• Friends of Nauset, Inc., Charter Member, former Trustee

It is the concerns of the Constituents that matter most, and will take priority with Melissa as she serves as State Representative. With that fact in mind, some issues for which Melissa will take strong stances for the District include:

Fiscal Responsibility... Since the Finneran administration, the MA budgetary process has been conducted behind closed doors. As a member of the Rules Committee, Melissa intends to amend this rule, re-opening the budget process to the Public. As a fiscally responsible citizen, and one who understands that it's “really all about the bottom line”, Melissa will work with others in the House to ensure that the MA budget is tight, eliminating excessive spending. We can generate new revenues by supporting economic growth in our traditional sectors such as tourism, high technology, communication, and higher education, while encouraging growth in new sectors, such as environmental, “Green Collar” industries. These new revenues will help us balance the budget while funding important programs within the District and Commonwealth.

Nicole Friedler Photography, Vineyard Haven

Environmental Protection... must occur at both the Local and Global levels. As an ecologically sensitive area, our District must be vigilant in protecting our fresh water supply. Reducing nitrogen loading and constructing sewers are important in preserving both fresh and salt water resources. We must acquire and maintain Open Space, and zone to protect our natural resources. Our District is particularly vulnerable to climate change. The Commonwealth has taken steps to alleviate environmental damage by mandating cuts in harmful emissions over the next decades. However, to mitigate climate change we need to do more. All Towns can reduce resource consumption, to simultaneously reduce pollution and energy costs. Both Falmouth and Nantucket are members of ICLEI, an international council of Local Governments for Sustainability. Melissa will help other Towns across the District and Commonwealth do similarly, and reap the benefits of guided energy audits and assistance in drafting and implementing Climate Protection Action Plans. We need to grow sustainably.

Educational Funding... Massachusetts, long known as a state at the forefront of educational excellence, currently finances its public university system at 1991 funding levels. We MUST invest more to increase academic excellence and create skilled workers and entrepreneurs to stimulate the Commonwealth's economy. Additionally, we need to offer improved K-12 education to attract and keep families with school-aged children. MCAS and NCLB, as currently implemented, are draining budgets, discouraging at-risk students, and neglecting gifted students. Mass. Ed. Reform needs reform itself.

Local Control, Local Development... Growth and development are positive factors in life, so long as they are undertaken sustainably and with reason. Renewable energy projects are inevitable and needed. Legislation such as the recently passed Oceans Act provides an opportunity to craft a plan that will include the interests of directly affected communities. A plan that balances ocean resource use along with preservation is needed; it will help us avoid divisive controversies like the Cape Wind project by providing guidelines, regulations, and controls regarding the use of our off-shore resources. Similarly, 40B legislation needs to be reviewed, revised, and perhaps greatly rewritten to allow more say by affected communities, while the benefits of 40R and "smart growth" need to be championed.

Born in Boston, and raised in both Orleans and Medfield, Melissa Freitag comes from a family with a tradition of serving the community, from ancestors who chartered one of the first Massachusetts towns, through parents who served on Finance, Planning, and School committees. Melissa embodies what it means to serve. It is now the time for Melissa to continue her career of service at a higher level – as State Representative for Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket.

Like over half of District voters, Melissa has always been registered to vote as an "unenrolled" voter; hence, she is running as an unenrolled candidate. As she has always upheld progressive principles and supported Democratic candidates, she will register as a Democrat once elected so that she may work most effectively in the House.

ELECT MELISSA FREITAG as our State Representative!

We're always happy to accept help and support from volunteers and contributors. How can you help? Would you like to host/hostess a "Get to know Melissa" coffee or tea? Hand out campaign flyers and goodies? Place a sign in your yard? Sponsor a fundraiser? Contribute to postage and mailings? Anything else? We THANK YOU for your support!

Volunteers are always needed. If you would like to:

• host a yard sign,
• receive literature to pass out to friends,
• meet the candidate, or,
• help out in any other way,

Send contributions to:

Or, donate online with PayPal:

Freitag Offers Falmouth Diplomacy and Teaching Skills [capecodtoday.com]

Interview on Plum TV, Martha's Vineyard, August 17, 2008 [plumtv.com]

Interview on Plum TV, Nantucket, October 14, 2008 [plumtv.com]