Lt. Col. Candidate Wants Military Votes Counted

FRANCO FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Chris Pinto

August 30, 2010 (508)981-6511

FRANCO CALLS MILITARY BALLOT WAIVER A DISGRACE

Lt. Col. Candidate Wants Military Votes Counted

Worcester, MA…Today Paul Franco, Republican candidate for State Representative in the Thirteenth Worcester District, sharply criticized the Department of Defense’s waiver for counting Massachusetts military ballots. He wants to move the primary date to accommodate our military service members.

“This is an utter disgrace. Our military men and women are putting their lives on the line to defend our freedoms, but we deny them their right to vote. This is a sad day for the state of Massachusetts,” said Franco. “We have an obligation to count these votes and to fix the system so these brave people are not left out of the election process.”

Lieutenant Colonel Paul J. Franco just came off active duty as a US Army Reservist. He has been working as a Soldiers’ Counsel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, for the past year as a mobilized US Army Reservist. His duties were to represent those soldiers injured during the war to ensure they receive the appropriate amount of compensation before being medically retired or separated.

As the next State Representative, Franco will file legislation to move the Primary date so that the Secretary of State has enough time to send ballots to military members and they can return them in a timely fashion.

“We cannot deny our military personnel their right to vote. I plan on fighting for them,” said Franco.

Besides being an officer in the US Army Reserve since 1980, Franco has lived in Worcester for 22 years where he has practiced law. He has worked as an attorney with the Law Offices of Joseph J. Cariglia for the past 10 years. Franco has also been active within the community serving on the West Tatnuck Elementary Parents’ Advisory Council, Christ the King Church Parish Council, and as Director of Tee-ball and AA Boys Baseball Leagues for 2008-2009 with the Jesse Burkett Little League. He has also coached and served on the Board of Directors for the St. Peter’s Church basketball league and he has coached youth soccer in Worcester since 1994.

Franco has been married to Mary Ann Franco for nearly 27 years and they have six children, ranging in ages from eight to 25. All of his children are or have attended the Worcester Public Schools.

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Paid for by the Committee to Elect Paul Franco, 58 Wildrose Avenue, Worcester, MA 01602