The two candidates seeking the open state representative seat in the 13th Norfolk District offered different views on the importance of local roots and the theme of service when they appeared together for the first time Sept. 26 at a virtual debate organized by the Charles River Chamber.
Democratic candidate Josh Tarsky and his opponent, unenrolled candidate Bill Dermody, are vying to represent Needham, Dover and part of Medfield, the position currently held by retiring Rep. Denise Garlick, in the Nov. 5 election.
The sharpest contrast between the two Needham residents may be the depth of their roots in Needham and their perspectives on how that may impact their effectiveness on Beacon Hill. Dermody is a third-generation resident while Tarsky moved here a little more than three years ago.
“Do I think that I need to have been here my entire life to lead this district effectively? I don’t,” said Tarsky, a former Green Beret and now a major in the National Guard who currently works as the principal of Holbrook Middle-High School. “I think that this outside perspective is actually going to benefit the folks here. As a school-based principal I see folks who have all sorts of beliefs — everything that you can think of on the spectrum of how to do business.
“I live here,” he said. “I’ve got kids in the school system. I care about this community. I would not be doing this if that were not the case.”
Dermody, a longtime real estate professional, stressed not just the quantity of time he has spent in Needham — all but a few post-college years — but the amount and variety of volunteer work he has done.
“There’s a lot of people that have lived in town their whole life but they haven’t been as involved as I have been involved with the community,” said Dermody, who was first elected to Town Meeting at age 20 and was described by debate moderator Greg Reibman as a “super volunteer.”
“I am well qualified for this. I am a communitarian. I’ve worked very hard throughout the town of Needham. I have managed offices in Needham, Dover and Medfield so I know all the communities.”
Reibman, executive director of the chamber, posed a series of questions to the candidates on issues related to housing, workforce and economic development, state referenda questions on the November ballot and adapting to the State House culture.
Dermody peppered many of his responses with local references while Tarsky emphasized how his two decades of service as a soldier, teacher, lawyer and school principal have informed his leadership and interpersonal skills.
On the substance of the issues, both candidates expressed support for the state MBTA Communities Act that mandates communities create zoning districts that make building multifamily housing easier.
Dermody, a Town Meeting member who will vote on the issue Oct. 21, said he is “leaning toward” supporting the more aggressive of Needham’s two options for compliance. Tarsky, who is not on Town Meeting, offered unequivocal support for the more comprehensive neighborhood plan rather than the minimally compliant base plan.
The two differed on a state referendum question that would alter how tipped workers are compensated and incrementally raise the minimum wage for tipped workers to parity with the minimum wage for all other workers. Tarsky expressed support while Dermody said his conversations with local restaurant owners and workers have convinced him that the law is bad for both owners and servers, as well as for diners who may see higher tabs.
On whether to eliminate the MCAS test as a high school graduation requirement, both candidates said they would vote to retain the requirement even though they agree the MCAS is an imperfect tool.
Reibman also asked the candidates whether they would maintain their current full-time jobs if they were elected. Tarsky said he would, with great regret, relinquish his school principal’s job while Dermody said he would retain his job as regional sales manager at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Commonwealth Real Estate.
Interviewed after the debate, both candidates felt they had succeeded in communicating their main themes and differentiating themselves from the other.
“I’m trying to be good here, but I just think I was more aware of the issues that the community faces, and I really want to continue Denise’s great work in the district,” said Dermody.
“I think it was clear that I’m the Democrat on the ballot and the only one making a full-time commitment to the job,” said Tarsky, adding he believes state rep is a full-time job that requires a full-time commitment.
“Everything I’ve done, I’ll put myself into it fully,” he said. “My commitments haven’t been occasional nights and weekends.”
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