It is Election Day!

All the hard work of the last few months comes down to today’s election. Over the course of the campaign, it has been energizing for me to find that I have shared many of the same concerns as others in Barnstable, especially those in the Third Precinct.

I want to continue serving the citizens of Precinct 3 on the Barnstable Town Council as a true voice of the people.

I thank you for your support as I humbly ask for your vote today.

Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM today.

Please take the time to vote and make sure that your friends vote, too!

If you don’t know where you vote, check out our Election/Voter Information Page.

Precinct 3 Citizens vote at the Barnstable Senior Center – 825 Falmouth Rd./Route 28, Hyannis, MA, 02601

If you need a ride to the polls, please call us at 508-771-8101 and we will help get you there!

If you want to volunteer to help us today (holding signs, driving, etc…) we can always use more help. You can call Vote Munafo HQ at 508-771-8101!

We will try to keep our Facebook Page as up-to-date as possible throughout the day tomorrow. So, for the latest campaign info, “Like” Vote Munafo on Facebook!

September 11, 2001 – 10 Years Ago Today – We must never forget. We must always remember to honor those who put their lives on the lines to protect our lives and freedoms. So, a heart-felt “Thank You” to all our veterans, the many members of the armed forces, and to those serving in our police and fire departments.

We’re excited about our 2011 campaign for

Re-Election as Barnstable Town Councilor in Precinct 3.

This year’s race for Barnstable Town Council in Precinct 3 has a Preliminary Election on September 20, 2011.

James F. Munafo’s political reputation is one of taking the high moral road, even amidst intense opposition.

“Munafo has repeatedly demonstrated by word and deed that he is a man with a strong moral center who understands the difference between right and wrong. While this might seem like a general requirement for holding public office, it has proven to be the exception rather than the rule in Barnstable.”

(Barnstable Sewer Blog)

Below is a video of Jim speaking at the Barnstable Town Council meeting on June 25, 2009, when he was one of only two councilors to vote against the 100% betterments for sewering at Stewarts Creek – an example of his unwavering commitment to principle over public opinion.

Check back often to see the latest updates to our blog. We’ll keep you updated on the latest campaign developments and ways you can lend Jim your support.

Contact Jim Munafo, Jr. at: votemunafo@integrity.com; at 33 Straightway, Hyannis, MA 02601; or at 508-771-8101.

Click here to become a fan on our “Vote Munafo” Facebook Fan Page and find out even more about upcoming events and campaign issues.

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Dear Friends,

My family and I want to thank you for all your help and support these last 8 months of our campaign for State Representative. We fought a good, clean fight, but did not prevail this time.

We met a lot of wonderful people along the way; people who stood with us and the values that we believe in; people who gave time, energy and resources to advance our shared ideas. Thank you!

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This is the full video of the October 13, 2010, debate between James F. Munafo, Jr. and Demetrius Atsalis.
The event was sponsored by the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce.

This is the full text of James F. Munafo, Jr.’s “My View” article for the October 18, 2010 Cape Cod Times

A Fiscal Conservative for Legislature
By James F. Munafo, Jr.

I am running for state representative in the 2nd Barnstable District because we need legislators who protect the voice of the people.

One-party rule has taken over Beacon Hill, and the people’s best interests are no longer being represented.

I have a track record of investigating the issues and forming comprehensive opinions before voting. I am not afraid to be the only person voting for or against legislation, because I am voting my conscience. I do not simply follow the instructions given to me by “leadership.”

As a Barnstable town councilor I have worked under the constraints of Proposition 2½. I’ve fought new taxes disguised as fees. I’ve fought against hidden taxes, no matter how small. I believe in protecting the people’s interests first and I’ll do the same for the people of Yarmouth and Barnstable as your next state representative.

Is it OK to keep your taxes high so politicians can give a little back and say they are “bringing home the bacon”? Unlike the incumbent, I believe it’s your money and you should keep it.

However, that doesn’t mean that good projects can’t be helped. I have experience bringing people together.

When we wanted the new youth and community center, I made sure that the taxpayers’ risk was small and approved a sound business plan that’s working for this beautiful facility.

When we wanted new lighting for the Walkway to the Sea and Aselton Park, we were able to create a plan that did not put the burden on town residents.

When the town manager, the Hyannis Water District and the Hyannis Fire District were at odds over hydrant fees, I was asked to help. I was able to work with all sides and negotiated a deal that was satisfactory for all parties.

Over the past 10 years, we have seen rises in the income, sales and meals taxes, just to name a few. The past two years have seen unparalleled tax increases at a time when many of us have been cutting back. In this district, the incumbent voted to increase the sales and meals taxes, but claims to have changed his mind mere months later.

I am the only fiscal conservative in this race. I believe government has gotten too big and is in the way of our economic recovery. We need to cut taxes, and that’s why I’ve promised not to increase taxes, by taking the Massachusetts Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

While sewer pipes are hidden safely underground, the costs of massive municipal wastewater projects cannot be buried.

Wastewater is the single most important issue facing Cape Cod today. This unfunded federal and state mandate is projected to cost $8 billion over the next 20 years. As a wastewater professional, I know we can protect our coastal embayments, but I believe we shouldn’t move forward with this program until adequate funding is in place.

Cape Cod’s future is bright, and the Cape offers a quality of life that is very attractive. While we have hit an economic crossroad, we can recover. We will be faced with difficult decisions over the next two years that will impact us for decades. You can do your part to implement sound financial policies, remove governmental oppression and preserve our great commonwealth by voting to change the status quo. That’s why I am asking for readers’ votes on Nov. 2.

James F. Munafo Jr., a Hyannis Republican and a member of the Barnstable Town Council, is seeking the 2nd Barnstable District House seat.

The Economy:

Lower Taxes and Responsible Spending

Economic conditions have never been so poor, yet Beacon Hill still wants more in taxes, rather than doing what we have to do – STOP SPENDING.

We need sound fiscal policy on Beacon Hill.

We need strong fiscal leadership in Boston.

Details Matter
My experience as a Barnstable Town Councilor shows that we need to pay attention to all aspects of the budget. The budget season is not boring, it is a time to work hard, study, and ask lots of questions. We need to ensure that our tax dollars are being spent wisely.

Transparency Helps Provide Accountability
Anyone who wants to know how money is spent in Massachusetts should! That is why I will work for Transparency on Beacon Hill. States like Florida and Texas are leading the way and have adopted legislation that allows citizens to go on the internet and see just how their tax dollars are being spent. Texas wants to let you see even the checks that are written (where they allowed to by law).

Priorities
We need to prioritize spending. If and when budget cuts happen, we need to know what we are going to protect. Law Enforcement and Education should be First on that list.

Job Creation
I do not believe Government can create jobs. It may have work that needs to get done, but the entrepreneurial spirit rests in the Hearts and Minds of the people Government serves.

Our Biggest Threat
Government is too big and in the way, Taxes, Insurance, and Regulation have become a triple threat to job creation in Massachusetts. We need to ease the triple threat if we want to be serious about our economic recovery.

Our future can be bright and the resources available in the Commonwealth are winners. With the people in control of their future, I believe we WILL experience a MASSACHUSETTS MIRACLE.

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Wastewater:

We will need people in power who understand this complex issue or we may be throwing a lot of money down the drain.

Tuesday, after spending the afternoon knocking on doors, I attended the Greater Hyannis Civic Association meeting where wastewater was the topic. We have had to deal with this issue on the local level, but I believe that as more and more communities are faced with difficult wastewater decisions and multi-billion dollar price tags, the state will need to become more involved.

Do we really need to do anything about wastewater? If so, what do we need to do? Is the science reliable? What systems are best? How much will it cost? Who is going to pay for it?

I am a licensed wastewater treatment plant operator. That gives me an advantage over most people in understanding the issues, the underlying causes and effects, and the possible solutions. I will be able to analyze the data, ask the difficult questions, and work towards some real solutions.

Nobody has all the answers, but it helps if you have knowledge and a real life understanding of the situation so that you can make informed decisions. I look forward to serving the people of the Second Barnstable District as their next State Representative and to working towards solutions for the many important issues that face our community and our state.

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Congratulations to all the primary winners!

Now that the Primary is complete, the Vote Munafo campaign is moving into full gear. I took a week off from my day job last week in order to concentrate on campaigning. I enjoyed meeting with people door-to-door during the day and attending many meetings and functions at night. It is a very hectic schedule, but I am committed to being the next State Representative from the Second Barnstable District, and talking with the citizens of the district is priority #1! For the next six weeks I will be keeping it up.

Also, I have issued a press release regarding Ballot Question #3. The text is available below. You can also access a *.pdf of the release at our Media Page or download the *.pdf now.

State Representative Candidate James F. Munafo, Jr.
Plans to Support the Will of the Voters

James F. Munafo, Jr., candidate for State Representative for the 2nd Barnstable District, says if Ballot Question 3 passes he will work diligently to insure that the will of the people to roll back the sales tax to 3% is not thwarted. Munafo says, “If this question passes, we may watch history repeat itself. In 2002 the Legislature amended the 2000 voter approved law that would have reduced the state’s income tax to 5%. Voters need a true advocate who will back them up on Beacon Hill, and I am the man for the job.”

However, if Question 3 should not pass, Munafo believes that the removal of the sales tax increase is still in order. “Recently the Legislature has imposed a number of new taxes and tax increases. We need to be working towards removing these new burdens. Restoring the sales tax to 5% would be a good step toward restoring the voice of the people to Beacon Hill.”

Based on his strong support for tax limitation, James F. Munafo, Jr. has earned the endorsement of Citizen’s for Limited Taxation’s 2 ½ Political Action Committee in his election bid for State Representative from the 2nd Barnstable District.

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September 11, 2001 – We must never forget. We must always remember to honor those who put their lives on the lines to protect our lives and freedoms. So, a heart-felt “Thank You” to all our veterans, the many members of the armed forces, and to those serving in our police and fire departments.

See You Sunday!
Vote Munafo Mini-Golf Tournament “Fun”draiser
Sunday, September 12, 2010 from 4:00-7:00 PM
at Sandwich Mini-Golf (157 Route 6A, Sandwich)

Suggested Greens Fee: $10 per person

Simply show up or you can reserve your spot in the tournament today!
Click “I’m Attending” on our Facebook Event Page and while you’re on Facebook, “Like” Vote Munafo!
OR you can send an RSVP to votemunafo@integrity.com