The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • 152

4 City Weekly Boston Sunday Globe AUGUST 24, 2008 ffc-fgR Wallace: ROMArsTfic PA TABLE TOPS, TABLE OTHER COMPONENTS FOR: COMPUTER TABLES DESKS, FILES DINING TABLES COUNTERS, BASES STEREO TV STANDS SHELVING SYSTEMS 5 LHtAr CAM The Political Trail Michael Jonas DOOR STORE www.doorstorecambridge.com 940 MASS AVE CAMBRIDGE 617-547-8937 Wilkerson feeling the heat again li v. 1151 St. "1 11 terest groups will provide Wilkerson is unclear. And even with their help, will it trump the clear sense among a decent-sized chunk of voters in the district that it's time for a change? Administrative error Move over, Albert Arroyo. In the department of public-sector chutzpah, the video of the "permanently disabled" Boston firefighter popping his pecs in a bodybuilding contest now must compete with hidden-camera footage showing Middlesex County register of probate John Buono-mo apparently helping himself to cash from the copier machines in the office of the Middlesex County register of deeds.

The former Somerville alderman was arrested earlier this month and now must answer to criminal charges. The bigger question raised by the Buonomo bust, however, is, why do we elect people to run county offices like the probate and deeds registries, anyway? These obscure posts are littered with local pols who have sought a cushy landing after a long run in more demanding elected posts or after ambitions for higher office were qnashed; Buonomo twice lost races for mayor of Somerville. But there are no big issues at stake in these positions to warrant having voters select the officeholder, especially when it leads to has-been pols with no qualifications being put in charge of large government offices whose top managers should be hired based on administrative know-how. In that vein, the fact that a current Somerville ward alderman, Sean O'Donovan, is selfiessly now offering himself as a write-in alternative to Buonomo, who will appear unopposed on next month's primary ballot, is hardly a comforting thought. ianne Wilkerson can claim a bevy of big-name backers whose muscle could be crucial to helping her hang onto her state Senate seat in next month's Democratic primary.

Her challenger, Sonia Chang-Diaz, is claiming something even more valuable: a big lead among likely voters in the Sept. 16 primary. With that, the two candidates are heading down the homestretch of a rematch of their 2006 showdown, a race that saw Wilkerson narrowly retain her seat MITCH'S Traditional BBQ There's a Fire in that Kitchen." Tue-Sat 5-11pm 08-22 Joe Bargar and the Soul Providers A lovj joe oargar ana me soui rroviaers 08-26 Ryles Artist Showcase 08-27 Receita de Samba 08-28 Greg Hopkins i 08-29 Soul City 08-30 Lance Martin Band PanukM tue Noche Latina Thu Temporada Latina FRl Viernes de Vacilon SAT 4 on the Floor sun Salsa Sundays luzz frrunck 06-24 YokoMiwa i 1 1 i 1 I against a first-time candidate who was able to tap the buyers' remorse that voters were feeling about the senator they first elected in 1992. Chang-Diaz's campaign released the findings of an internal poll last week that shows its candidate holding a sizable lead among likely primary voters in the Second Suffolk District, which reaches from Chinatown and the Back Bay through Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and sections of Dorchester and Mattapan. According to the campaign-conducted poll of 419 likely Democratic primary voters, Chang-Diaz holds a lead of 47 percent to 30 percent, with 23 percent still undecided.

Not surprisingly, the Wilkerson campaign isn't buying the numbers. "I'm not putting a lot of credence into that poll," says Mukiya Baker-Gomez, Wilkerson's campaign manager. History suggests that perhaps she ought to. Polling results released by Chang-Diaz during the 2006 race showed soft support for Wilkerson in the district, a finding largely supported by Wilkerson's far less-than-landslide 49-44 percent victory. "Generally speaking, incumbent state senators are not vulnerable.

This race is the exception," says Chang-Diaz campaign strategist Dan Cohen, whose firm conducted the poll earlier this month. The reason for that exception is Wilkerson's oversized collection of ethical and legal baggage, which ranges from a conviction for failure to file income taxes for four years inthel990stoa settlement reached earlier this month with the attorney general in which she admitted to multiple violations of campaign finance laws. Amid her trail of transgressions, Wilkerson has been a forceful advocate for all manner of liberal causes, a record that has lots of advocacy groups backing her reelection. Baker-Gomez says -juiiiiiiiinuintiji in.114 tJ JOHN BOHNGLOBE STAFF Sonia Chang-Diaz's backers say she leads in internal polls. JOHN BOHNGLOBE SWF Incumbent Dianne Wilkerson has big-name supporters.

there are also plenty of pols Wil-; kerson has supported who are ready to repay the favor, ranging from city councilors Charles Yancey and John Connolly to Mayor Tom Menino and Governor Deval Patrick. Reprising the theme of her 2006 campaign, the equally liberal-leaning Chang-Diaz says voters shouldn't have to choose between their political values and high ethical standards in those who represent them. Just how much organizational oomph the various pols and in Letters Ik- as Destination i I I jr Add a bit more spice to the firm Lakes Region. Now you can home all year round. The Woods are ideal for over 55 looking to downsize to give up living in a house.

such as snow removal, maintenance services and 24-hour have more time for the most love to do. and Amenities Woods upgrades available room overlooking garage with option to add IIKING, SNOW-SI lOEING EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM SERVICES, SHOULD YOUR DROP INTO SEE OUR MODEL HOME BEFORE WE'RE SOLD OUT! OR CALL US AT 603-528-2555 1 ftVA I. $9,4 $25,000 rt jar You love the make this your homes at Wesley ac tive adults but not ready With amenities interior security you'll activities you Features at Wesley custom Large great THE DECK One car A SECOND PATI IS FOR 1 SKIING ACCESS TO MORE NEEDS CHANGE A First I heard of the Pepperpot Bridge more fun to cross the pepperpot," Letters, City Weekly, Aug. 1 7). I've always heard it called and called it the Salt and Pepper Bridge.

Was this story a plant to get us to write in and ask, "What the hay?" If so, you got me. Eve Sullivan Cambridge City Weekly welcomes letters to the editor. Letters are published based on space and should include your full name, the neighborhood you live in, and a phone number for verification. Please send letters to City Weekly, P.O. Box 55819, Boston, MA 02205-5819, or e-mail ciweekglobe.com.

I Michael Jonas can be reached at jonasglobe.com. Longfellow DAVID L. RYANGLOBE STAFFFILE 2007 metro CREDIT UNION Homts in GILFORD 18 Wesley Woods Gilford, NH 03249 www.wesleywoodsnh.org Abundant We- DEACONESS COMMON To some Cantabrigians, the Longfellow Bridge resembles salt and pepper shakers due to the shape of its towers. -aw -11 Earn one of the highest rates in the and have total access to your funds. 'APY balance nation at Metro rr NCUA Annual HIGH YIELD SAVINGS ACCOUNT Call us today at Burlington Chelsea 877-MY-METRO or visit www.metrocu.org Framingham Lawrence Lynn Peabody Swampscott Tewksbury Percentage Yield (APY) based on daily balances for new accounts opened after 72608: 3.25 APY for balances of $25,000 and greater, 2.50 APY for balances of $10,000 to $24,999, 1.00 APY for balances up to $9,999.

Fees may reduce earnings. Accounts cannot be accessed using ATM or Debit Card. $10,000 minimum opening deposit is required. Minimum transaction of $10,000 for withdrawals. Non qualifying transaction fee of $25 each for any withdrawal under $10,000 in a statement period.

APY as of 72508 but may vary after account opening and offer is subject to change. Personal accounts only. This credit union Is federally insured by National Credit Union Administration. Member of Massachusetts Share Insurance Corporation. 4 CI.