Throughout his career, Ed Kennedy has been an outspoken advocate for addressing the most pressing issues within the realm of education in Massachusetts -- funding and access, and he deserves our support for State Senate on Nov. 6.
Serving recently as mayor of Lowell, Ed is aware of how the state's outdated Foundation Budget severely underfunds our schools and has called for legislative action to revise the funding formula to ensure that all schools are appropriately funded. Ed also shares my belief in the transformative impact of higher education and wants to make it more affordable for students to attend community colleges and state universities.
My late husband, Paul Sheehy, represented the First Middlesex District in the State Senate from 1985-1991. A lot has changed in our communities since then, but one thing that has not are the qualities that make for an outstanding State Senator -- honesty, integrity and tenacity. Those of us who have watched Ed Kennedy in action since his first run for the City Council know he possesses all these traits, and that he will be the strong leader on education that our district needs.
The writer is a former dean of the Lowell Campus at Middlesex Community College.