A Salute to my Brother/Mayoral Race

The primaries for the mayoral race in Massachusetts has ended, and despite an amazing effort, my brother Doug wound up just 3% shy of being in the run-off for November. He was one of 4 candidates (which included the mayor currently in office). A former mayor who ecided to run again was the candidate who made the run-off against the current mayor.

Doug went on the air to a local radio program and gave his reaction and what he's doing next. He has a lot more class that I will ever have. He's a very educated man and an eloquent speaker.
Here's Doug's 8 minute radio interview, Post-Election
http://www.qatv.org/audio/AMQuincy/mayoral-candidate-doug-gutro-september-25-2015

As I said before- I am SO proud of my brother Doug for running a great campaign for Mayor of our hometown. Sadly, he missed out on being one of the 2 mayoral candidates by a tiny margin. If only people that voted for the others would've learned about all he accomplished in public service as a Ward 5 councilor for 14 years- they ALL would have voted for him. I've never seen a city councilor care more for their city and for the people who live in the city. * Doug ALWAYS made time to address every concern and helped people nights, weekends and holidays even taking precious time away from his family. * In my opinion, Quincy just suffered a massive loss for moving forward. Doug's love for the city and passion is unmatched. I only hope that people in office will learn from Doug.

Rob's Boston Adventure: February 2014

Boston's subways now have video screens!

During the week of February 22-23, I (Rob) flew to Boston to help my brothers organize and clean  out my mom's house while Tom stayed behind, took care of the dogs and wound up transporting 2 rescue dogs and doing a bunch of home improvements. We rarely sit still. :)
 TRANSPORTATION WAS EASY! - Flying into Boston and grabbing the "Silver line" a bus line that follows a track like a subway was easy. It took me to South Station where I caught a subway. I noticed that the subway stations now have video screens with information on them. The Boston "T" /subway has come a long way since I used to ride it in the 1980s!

Brian being crazy like the weekend!

 CRAZY WEEKEND  - 
  - That weekend in Boston for me turned out to be kind of crazy. My nephew Scotty had a perforated Appendix so he was in the hospital the entire time (he's since home and recovered) and my sister-in-law Sue stayed overnights with him.
  

Brian in action

Brian in action again

Dinner out with Doug and Brian

   I stayed with my younger brother Doug and my other nephew Brian.

BRIAN'S BASKETBALL - 
On the Sunday that I departed, after working a lot at my mom's house in the morning, Doug took me to Brian's basketball game. It was a really enjoyable especially because I' had never seen him play before. His team won, so that made it even more enjoyable.

Brian the basketball star

  Of course, Since I don't follow sports, I don't understand what was going on throughout the game, but I did understand his effort and that the team won! 

   After the game we visited Scotty and Sue at the hospital before Doug and Brian took me to the airport. That was one crazy, busy, tiring, yet enjoyable weekend.

Campaigning in 2 States! - Rob's brother Wins!

This weekend Tom and I (Rob) helped campaigns in 2 states: Maryland and Massachusetts. We love our local City Council,or (who has been incredible) Diane Polangin, so we distributed flyers for her in MD this past Saturday.

**On Sunday we flew to Boston and spent about 3 days helping my brother Doug with his campaign for City Councilor at Large. He's been a city councilor for 8 years, and this is a step up~!  So, we helped distribute about 1000 flyers, made calls to sign holders, dropped off signs at the polls from 5:30am to 7am on Nov. 8th, picked up coffee and donuts, then drove around to half of the polling places around the city and offered them to sign holders for all candidates' sign holders. We also ran errands and managed to squeeze in dinner (thanks to  my sister-in-law for making it for all of us) and see my nephews.
DOUG WINS POSITION AS COUNCILOR-AT-LARGE! 
  There were 3 seat and 4 candidates for a Councilor at Large position in my brother's race. My brother Doug came in SECOND, cementing him a seat as as Councilor at Large!
The vote breakdown:  Joe Finn: 11,007 votes; Doug Gutro: 10823;

	Michael McFarland 10,143; John Rodophele Sr.5.250 votes.

   Here are pictures from BOTH CAMPAIGNS!

MARYLAND FLYER DISTRIBUTION:

Dolly and Franklin watching Tom distribute flyers

Tom and Franklin Flyer Fiends!

Tom getting his exercise distributing literature

MASSACHUSETTS CAMPAIGNING!!

Day 1 flyer drop- Doug's sign on a lawn!

Tom Dropping flyers at homes near Wollaston Beach

Sign said "Beware of Dog" - who could apparently chew through fences!

Tom and Rob posing with Doug's Campaign flyer

Vote for Doug!

Shopping for the signholder refreshments

Cold but sunny morning #2 of flyer distribution

Election day sign drop off at 6am

Rob distributing signs

Tom dropping off signs at a polling place

Doug the candidate and Tom

Doug the candidate and Rob

Jim the signholder at the Thomas Crane Library polling place

Coffee van to feed all signholders

Tom managing the coffee van

People loved the free coffee and Donuts Doug's campaign provided

Support my (Rob's) Brother for "Councilor at Large" !

Rob's brother Doug speaking as City Councilor

   My brother Doug is running for Councilor at Large in my hometown. He's now got two opponents, and he's been a councilor for 10 years!  He also works full time AND teaches at Suffolk University. Doug has always been a rock for me, and cares passionately about our hometown. I've never seen someone work so hard to make the citizens happy. In fact, Tom and I want him to run for Congress. 

    He  served five terms as Quincy’s Ward 5 City Councilor, including one term as City Council President. He also served as Chairman of the City Council’s Downtown and Economic Development Committee helping to steer historic votes that will provide the framework for $1.6 billion in private investment in Quincy Center. He’s also supported changes to strengthen the city’s Responsible Employer Ordinance. He's cleaned the city beaches, and organized cleanups throughout the city, stenciled drains that informed people that waste water goes directly to the beach.

  As an older brother, I've found inspiration, strength and encouragement from Doug throughout my entire life. The one person throughout my entire life that's ALWAYS been there, through everything, is my brother Doug. When my parents questioned my moving to Washington, DC, or going back to school for a meteorology degree, Doug backed me. He was also there when I came out to my parents, and that was really difficult. I couldn't ask for a better brother. He's always been a best friend throughout my entire life-  and he CARES about everyone - no exceptions.
    Below is info about the accomplishments he's made. For more info, or to donate and help his campaign:   http://douggutro.com/

10 Years as a Ward Councilor

• Protecting neighbourhoods
• Improving city services
• Working hard for working families

Experienced, Willing Leader

• President, Quincy City Council
• President, Ward 5 Community Association
• Board of Directors, Massachusetts Municipal Association
• Chairman, City Council Downtown; Veterans Affairs; and
  Ordinance Committees
• Chairman, Wollaston Beach Task Force & Vice Chair, Quincy
  Beaches & Costal Commission
• Founder, Friends of Wollaston Beach & Friends of Butler Pond

Dedicated Public Servant and Educator

• 22 years of public service in the Federal Government
• Adjunct Professor, Suffolk University’s Public
Management Department