By: State Rep. Linda Dean Campbell – 12/22
It has been such a privilege to represent you these past sixteen years as your State Representative. My approach to governing is to focus on common sense solutions to challenges that we face in state and local government. While often being in the middle of our extreme politics on the left and the right is a challenge, I know it is often necessary if we are going to truly solve problems that need to be solved.
I have many to thank – first and foremost, you. I cannot put into words what your support and friendship has meant to me and my family.
Our local elected leaders have a difficult job, and I am so thankful for their work and partnership throughout my tenure. I encourage all residents to get involved in community affairs – the Merrimack Valley needs you! Our state delegation is amazing, and I hope you will continue to contact the new delegation on state matters that affect so many aspects of our daily living – they need your input!
My colleagues in the Legislature have worked with me on many bills I filed that are now signed into state law and many local projects that are now completed: the renovated Methuen High School; the Methuen Rotary Project; the Bradford Fiorentini Rail Trail (which continues to expand); the state law requiring the teaching of Civics Education in schools across the Commonwealth; the state law requiring public notification of Combined Sewer Overflows; the state law protecting individuals with intellectual disabilities from abuse (Nicky’s Law); and finally, the investigation into the tragic deaths of 76 Veterans at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and the resulting law that revamps our governing on Veterans’ affairs – including the creation of a Secretary of Veterans’ Services in the Governor’s Cabinet.
I am so grateful for the trust that House leadership has placed in me to serve as the House Chair of many Legislative Committees, hear public testimony, and craft legislation.
In Methuen, I am most thankful to Governor Baker for partnering with me on legislation I filed in 2018 to secure a critical loan for the City of Methuen and to revamp local governing structures.
I am also grateful to the State Inspector General, who took official action following my letter demanding an official investigation of the Methuen Police Department, which led to substantial reform resulting from actions taken by our local officials, the Methuen Police Department, and the Inspector General’s Office. The challenges and dangers faced by our public safety officers increase yearly, and I want to thank them for all they do daily to keep us safe.
In Haverhill, I am grateful for the partnership of local leaders and advocates on many community projects. The incredible fundraising efforts of Creative Haverhill to transform the Cogswell School into Cogswell ArtSpace made it possible for me to request and secure significant state funding to get this project closer to its goal. Further, together with the dedicated advocacy of Haverhill residents, we were able to make significant headway toward a long-term solution to reduce the public health impacts of the MBTA commuter rail layover station in Bradford, with MassDOT agreeing to relocate the station to a more suitable location – a project that remains underway.
Over the years, many of you have called my office to request help with navigating state government services. When we were able to help, it was due to my amazing team!
I will be forever grateful and humbled by their public service and friendship, the many ways that they helped so many people, and the critical knowledge, research, and long hours they provided to secure legislative and budgetary victories on the state level for our community.
Thank you for your support and friendship over these many years. Stay positive and involved!
My Very Best,
Linda Dean Campbell
State Representative, 15th Essex District representing the cities of Methuen and Haverhill in the State Legislature. She currently serves as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Advanced IT, the Internet and Cybersecurity. She can be reached at Linda.Campbell@mahouse.gov or (617) 722-2676.