In the Telegram and Gazette | October 23, 2008

By Priyanka Dayal 

The candidates for state representative of the 4th Middlesex District both say they’re ready to be leaders during a tough economic period.

Republican Arthur G. Vigeant and Democrat Danielle Werner Gregoire are both lifelong Marlboro residents and newcomers to state politics. Mr. Vigeant, 51, has been in local politics for more than 15 years. Ms. Gregoire, 29, has worked as an aide to former state Rep. Stephen P. LeDuc, who represented the district until he stepped down in February to take a job at Marlboro District Court.

The 4th Middlesex District covers Marlboro, Berlin and Precinct 1 of Southboro.

Mr. Vigeant, elected to the Marlboro City Council in 1993 and now serving his sixth year as council president, is a certified public accountant who helped establish financial controls for Marlboro.

"I think it’s a time, especially in Boston, when they need some more financial help making decisions,” he said. “We need more CPAs down there, not lawyers.”

About the governor’s recently announced budget cuts, Mr. Vigeant said, “I think it’s bringing to light issues that have been brewing down there for a long time. … This was an inflated budget with inflated revenue projections.”

Ms. Gregoire, who worked to create the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority and says she champions children’s and family issues, continues to work at the Statehouse in the 4th Middlesex District office. She said the state of the economy makes it clear that Massachusetts must do more to foster economic development.

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