1.2 min readBy Published On: August 21st, 2018Categories: News15 Comments on Letter to the Editor: Why I’m supporting Matt Rusteika

Letter to the Editor

I’m writing today to ask my South Boston friends and neighbors to join me in supporting Matt Rusteika for State Representative on Tuesday, September 4.

During my forty-year career in public service, including 20 years as Director of the Mayor’s 24-Hour Service and 10 years as the City’s Election Commissioner, I learned a thing or two about what it takes to get things done in government. It takes experience, but also the willingness to learn. It takes determination, because the public sector is often inefficient, and it doesn’t have to be. And finally, it takes a good nature, because at the end of the day, it’s about serving people!

Many of you have met Matt Rusteika by now, and you know he possesses these attributes. He always has a ready smile and a kind word. He also doesn’t pretend to know all the answers—he wants to learn from the people around him. And he has spent his career carrying out multi-million-dollar public projects that have made a real impact on our pocketbooks and quality of life.

Most importantly, Matt is not beholden to anybody except the electorate. He will listen to you, learn from you, and work tirelessly for you! We need his combination of experience, empathy, and humility. I hope you will join me in voting for Matt Rusteika on Tuesday, September 4.

Sincerely,

Gerry Cudyer

15 Comments

  1. Houwen Straus August 21, 2018 at 2:54 pm - Reply

    It is such an encouragement to see new blood joining in the race. Especially one that’s not in political debt. Sign me up for any future campaigning endeavor!

  2. Eric K August 21, 2018 at 3:31 pm - Reply

    Matt Rustieka was part of a group who backed Ed Markey for Senate versus Southie’s own Steve Lynch. In a town that values loyalty, not a good start.

    David Biele is graduate of Boston College and BC Law School. Dave worked for Senator Nick Collins. He’s focused on fixing the transportation, traffic and educational issues that beset our community. David’s family is a multi-generational South Boston Family. His grandmother taught at ST. Brigid’s for years.

    David is deeply involved in the transformation of Ann Lynch Home (Old Colony) and Mary Ellen McCormack (Old Harbor) housing projects. Southie needs work force housing. David will seek to resolve the economic abyss between the haves and have nots. ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, Pay attention to this one. It really matters.

    -Eric

    • Patrick August 22, 2018 at 9:23 am - Reply

      David Biele is arrogant. Brushed me off when I tried to talk to him. But I can’t blame him. He doesn’t owe me anything. If he gets elected he just owes all the people Eric named above. Lunch had no shot statewide. Figure it out. Loyalty to what? Whitey defended loyalty too. Good on you to invoke that southie loyalty. Bully. It is time for change.

      • Fair is Fair August 22, 2018 at 11:03 am - Reply

        Matt Rusteika’s family also goes back generations in South Boston. Matt is also the father of the next generation of his family to be raised in South Boston. Matt graduated with distinction from Brown University’s Masters Program (Ivy League). He has also worked on many programs that have benefited the area. Dave Biele has been in the system and part of it for year, but we still have the same issues. How come they haven’t been addressed?

      • Brian August 22, 2018 at 1:10 pm - Reply

        Who did Eric mention that David Biele owes if he’s elected? Boston College?

        • Jimmy August 27, 2018 at 9:44 am - Reply

          You’re right. He didn’t mention it. That’s the point. He owes nick and the political people in southie. Who do you think kid’s are gonna get jobs? That’s all Dave will do. Help the poor who got him elected…. it ain’t the regular joe.

  3. Maureen August 22, 2018 at 12:55 pm - Reply

    I am voiting for Rusteikla… tired of the same old politics in this city and peple beholden to others in the same systemr

  4. Peter August 23, 2018 at 6:58 am - Reply

    Rusteika would be like a broken compass up at the state house. No direction, and no true Southie values. Biele has legislative experience, as well as the knowledge to get our important community heard up at the state house.

  5. Real Deal August 23, 2018 at 3:26 pm - Reply

    Agreed that David has some legislative experience but what has he done? Why does it take a tragic death and public outrage before anything happens? Why are huge developments happening all around us and there is no comment from David? If you want more of the same, vote for David. If you want someone who will listen and work for you, and is not beholding to anyone, vote for Matt Rusteika.

  6. Peter August 23, 2018 at 10:04 pm - Reply

    David has done more for this community than Matt. Being involved with the Harry McDonough Sailing Program, Boys & Girls Club etc. David was a staff member, and his title does not have voting power. Where has Matt been, and what has he done in this community? Recently Matt made a fool of himself when he didn’t read the signs at Rite Aid. His car was towed, and he had the nerve to rant towards employees, and say ‘’do you know who I am, I’m the next state representative. ‘’ Well you showed your true colors under pressure. You seem to act like Elizabeth Warren. All bark not substance. Matt stop grandstanding on the tragic death of the young boy, and stop pointing your finger at others. No elected official could have prevented that terrible accident. Be apart of the solution. On David Biele’s view on development. I’m glad David is against the plans of the Edison plant proposal. We cannot handle this project in our neighborhood.

    • Katrina Rusteika August 24, 2018 at 9:12 am - Reply

      Peter, everyone has a right to support his or her candidate, but you do not have a right to defame my husband. Your story about Rite-Aid is false. I can say that for a fact because I am the owner of our family car and would have received an alert had it been towed. If you had taken a moment to find out why Matt was speaking to Rite-Aid employees – speaking, not yelling – you would have learned that there was an older woman who had been in the lot for a while but was having some difficulty. Matt was trying to assist her because she couldn’t get out of her car and talk to the employees herself. Again, you have every right to support David and explain why, but fabricating stories about Matt helps neither candidate.

      • Dawn August 25, 2018 at 9:39 pm - Reply

        I hope you’re going to apologize Peter. If you made the story up, you’re an A-hole.
        If you’re repeating a rumor that you heard, then you’re uneducated in life. When are people going to learn to believe only half of what they see, and absolutely NOTHING of what they hear? I don’t know who I’m voting for yet. Neither candidate is perfect. I screen shorted yours and Katrina’s comments in this feed, and I’m going to share it on the Southie Facebook pages. So, just in case anyone else is spreading this false story, the record will be set straight.

  7. Eric K August 25, 2018 at 1:34 pm - Reply

    Admit it, Matt Rusteika reminds you of a young Fidel Castro coming down from the Sierra Madres to rescue the unwashed proletariat through Socialism. Matt needs to stop screaming at Rite Aid minimum wage employees. He makes Trump look even tempered. David Beal can find the Polish triangle in his district without a map. David will be the first non_Irish Southie state rep in a century.. So he’s the diversity candidate. David Beal is the son of a construction worker. He is on a first name basis with Gov Baker which will be crucial in getting improved bus service in City Point. David is close to the Mary Ellen McCormack task force where he supports the upcoming transformation of a housing project into mixed income work force and market rate housing. He’s ensured the current residents they will not be displaced. So this race is easy to define% Beal is in favor of Truth, Justice and the American Way. Matt Rusteika is from the Che Guevara of Southie Politics. David was endorsed today by former Senator Forry which speaks to his support of the minority community. Outside of One block on M Street Matt has very few sign and very little support. He should conced and endorse David Beal. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.

    • KG August 26, 2018 at 5:56 pm - Reply

      Is this guy for real? He can’t even spell his candidates name correctly. Enough with the false stories. How about we use the comment section to discuss their platforms. I’m assuming we are all adults here and don’t have to resort to such absurd tactics.

  8. Real Deal August 26, 2018 at 12:17 pm - Reply

    Well Erik there is only one take away from your post. You will say anything to help your boy David. It’s disgusting that the day after John McCain dies, there are people like you making false accusations and turning politics nasty.. Senator McCain fought against this his whole like. Very disappointing.

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