Trailblazing with Lori: 45 Days and Counting!!

Candidate's Corner: This week marked a number of exciting milestones. This Thursday at 10:34 a.m., EST, I dropped off over 200 certified signatures from the district to the Secretary of State’s Office. Well, we’re officially on the ballot and ready to blaze! We also received our first endorsements from the Mass Women’s Political Caucus and CHAIN of Swampscott. Contribution checks and web contributions have been streaming in with many contributors also volunteering to help in other ways. We still have a long way to go in a very short period of time.

The boundless energy from our great volunteer base has me thinking a lot about energy in general this week. I recently attended a meeting at Lynn Economic Opportunity (LEO), an agency tasked amongst other things with helping local residents with fuel assistance. Unfortunately the number of people in need is growing steadily and I doubt there isn’t anyone among us who hasn’t been shocked by his or her last fuel bill. If you or anyone you know needs assistance here is a link to various programs throughout the state.  One of my high priority issues is to actively support an environmentally sustainable and economically sound energy policy that will make Massachusetts less vulnerable to the soaring costs we have seen of late. Peace and joy for the holidays from my family to yours.  ~Lori

Trailblazing News:  Our maiden newsletter received a resounding two thumbs up! You can access back editions of Trailblazing with Lori newsletter on our campaign website Volunteer page. In other news, Lori was spotted having breakfast with Santa at an event sponsored by the Swampscott Council on Aging and Recreation Department; proceeds benefited Toys for Local Children. Lori attended the Marblehead Finance Committee's report to the Marblehead Board of Selectmen. Lori also enjoyed attending a fundraiser at the home of Marilyn Glazer-Weisner in Swampscott. The fundraiser was held to initiate a new scholarship fund for North Shore Community College students who wish to learn how to become front-line social workers reaching out to at-risk youth in the city of Lynn.

Grassroots Sprouts: LYNN: Icy roads grounded the coffee event planned in Lynn on Sunday but it has been rescheduled for Jan. 16^th. MARBLEHEAD: The paparazzi were seen snapping photos of Lori trailblazing through the snow.  SWAMPSCOTT: Inclement weather also postponed Shelly Sackett’s Sunday coffee event and a certain candidate was overheard wondering aloud why Mother Nature couldn’t be a little more cooperative given all she has done for the environment!

Say What?

Tip 1: Prospective voters who are not registered still have until 8 p.m. January 16^th to do so and it’s very important we remind our friends and neighbors that if they’re not registered, they will be missing out on a unique opportunity to strengthen our district’s voice! Registering is easier than ever:

1) Direct folks to their near-by Town Clerk’s Office (or City Hall in Lynn) to fill out a quick 15-question voter registration form.  Voilà! Done.  The Swampscott Town Clerk’s Office is located at 837 Humphrey St. and is open Mon. through Thur. 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and on Fri. 8 a.m. – noon: Tel. 781.596.8870. Lynn City Hall is located at 3 City Hall Square and is open M W Thur. 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Tues. 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., and Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Tel. 781.598.4000. The Marblehead Town Clerk’s Office is located at 188 Washington St. and is open Mon. through Thur. 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Fri. 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Tel. 781.631.0528.  Note: Jan. 16^th all clerk’s offices are required to stay open until 8 p.m.

2) Direct folks to the Elections Division website where they can request a form be sent directly to their home to fill out in the comfort of their house slippers.

3) And of course if someone is applying for, renewing or requesting a duplicate driver’s license they may complete the ‘Voter Registration’ section and get registered that way!

Tip 2: The Lori Ehrlich (one word) buzz continues to grow and holiday parties are the perfect venue to buzz more! If you're cornered at a party by someone who feels compelled to tell you that she is in the software industry and has just branded a new master data management web services integration and application server connectivity platform…. (ZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZzzzzzzzzzzz), you can try to spice up the conversation with: “Wow, sounds like you’re really into technology! Have you checked out Lori Ehrlich’s website at www.loriehrlich.com?” This is where you can then inject last week’s ‘elevator pitch’ (…has strong ties to all three communities….is a strong local advocate….is tough on issues, etc.).  You can also mention the fact that not only will Lori make a great State Rep but that she is also very computer savvy!

Bright Idea: We’ve added one more section to our newsletter under the motto that a state representative’s job is to listen to YOU. This week’s bright idea comes from one of you is very bright indeed… It’s Lights Out for Traditional Lightbulbs

Upcoming Events: Due to the holidays, no official events beyond door knocking and caffeine consumption have been planned this week. But emails will be checked regularly!

Volunteer Central: If you would like to become more involved in the campaign, please contact Shelley Sackett at lawyermom@aol.com or 781.599.2725. Please feel free to forward this newsletter on to a friend. 

 ~Happy Holidays from the Trailblazing Team!!