Gov. –elect Charlie Baker tours Carney Academy in New Bedford with fifth graders C.J. Dunston and Sky Viruet. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News
By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
He didn’t capture New Bedford in last month’s election, but Massachusetts Governor – elect Charlie Baker came back to the city on Wednesday to visit, and to follow through on his pledge to seek out ideas from around the state.
“The goal here is to work with people in each region of Massachusetts, figure out which things they think are important and then put a plan together and execute on it,” said Baker, a Republican who topped a five-way field in the November election, finishing ahead of Democrat Martha Coakley.
Baker was invited to New Bedford by Ward Four City Councillor Dana Rebeiro, a Democrat, and was met by Democratic Mayor Jon Mitchell as he toured Carney Academy, a highly-regarded elementary school. He said that he regards improving education issues one, two and three.
“I don’t know how we can possibly expect our kids, our families our communities to be successful, if we don’t give them the kind of education they need to be successful,” Baker said.
“I mean, that’s just a fact. And while Massachusetts has made tremendous strides over the course of the past 20 years under education reform, it’s pretty clear we’ve got a long way to go,” he said.
Baker was led through the school by fifth grade students Sky Viruet and C.J. Dunston. Dunston was recently elected class president, and Baker asked if it was his first election. Told that it was, Baker joked that Dunston had a better electoral record, evoking his 2010 defeat by now-outgoing Gov. Deval Patrick.
Baker noted that he will take office next month facing a budget deficit variously estimated at between $330 million and $600 million. His inauguration is scheduled for January 8, 2015.
Baker was asked about a potential bid to attract future Olympic Games to Boston.
“Certainly if Massachusetts and Boston were to be picked, one of the opportunities it gives us is the ability to sell the state and to sell the region to a lot of other nations around the world who may not know that much about Boston and about Massachusetts.”
“I think that has some positive elements to it. But I think the big question we have is the price tag, and that’s something we’d have to work out,” Baker said.
Baker said he expects to maintain state support for the long-sought commuter rail from Boston to Southeastern Massachusetts.
“Well, there’s still about five years’ worth of permits that have to be pursued and secured. Governor Patrick issued the proposal and selected a contractor to conduct that work, and we’re going to continue to support that,” Baker said.
Few governors spent more time than Patrick in Southeastern Massachusetts, and Baker said he expects to return once he takes office.
“Let’s put it this way, I certainly won’t be a stranger,” he said.
