April 15, 2010

By Rick Winterson

Editor’s Note:  Even though we don’t endorse political candidates, South Boston Online profiles them and their key issues during elections that concern South Boston.  This is a community service to our readers.  This week, we write about Patrick Brennan, Republican candidate for state Representative from the Fourth Suffolk District.  Jake Bombard and Mike McGee will be profiled in upcoming weeks.

When asked about being a Republican candidate, Patrick Brennan is quite upfront about his politics.  He says, “My family was a working family; they often voted for Democrats.  However, as I learned about the issues, I found myself to be a fiscal conservative and proponent for smaller government.  Representing the interests of South Boston and Dorchester is more important than party politics.  I want to serve as an independent voice to provide jobs to our residents and fiscal restraint on Beacon Hill.”

Patrick talks about experiencing financial hardships as a young man, working hard to get through them and create future opportunities.  He says, “I grew up from humble beginnings, working and paying my way though college.”

Given the opportunity, Patrick says he’ll represent the people as their advocate for jobs, sound economics, and educational opportunities through responsible legislation.  This will provide the infrastructure, support, and freedom for businesses to grow, hire and train employees, and create economic growth.

Today, the Commonwealth ranks near the top among the 50 states for unfavorable business tax rates.  This leads to Patrick’s first key issue:  Jobs.  While unemployment figures have evened out recently, partly because of the temporary 2010 Census hiring, he thinks that small business growth is the way to put people back to work.  He will call for steps to improve the local economic climate, such as reducing taxes and fees on small businesses.

Patrick’s second key issue is education.  He says, “Education is the best investment for our children’s future”.  Patrick wants to make sure to make sure the recently passed education legislation is properly implemented, so it will turn around underperforming schools.  He thinks his public education gave him the opportunity to excel in college and go on to a successful career.  He wants to give these same opportunities to each child in our school systems.

His third key issue he calls “constituent service”.  Patrick states, “I’m going to make myself accessible to all voters in our district.  For instance, I’ll have coffee and open office hours in the neighborhood, so I can listen to all constituents - supporters and non-supporters.  I want to hear from everyone, so I can better serve our community.”

On the personal side, Patrick is a resident of the South Boston Waterfront area on Park Lane, where he has lived for the last two years.  He is an independent CPA (Certified Public Accountant) who provides tax, accounting and management consulting services to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Patrick’s degree is from St. Joseph’s College (Maine); he’s now studying at Bentley’s McCallum Graduate School of Business.   He spent five years at a prominent regional public accounting firm, developing his financial and accounting know-how in locally important industries such as construction, manufacturing, distribution, and technology, before going out on his own last fall.

His father Walter has held various jobs and is currently unemployed, after his recent employer outsourced his manufacturing job to Mexico.  His mother Sharon (Warren) is a Program Director for an elderly assisted-living community at Dr. Franklin Perkins School in Lancaster.

Concerning his decision to run, Patrick looked at the political climate and decided there was plenty of room for a fresh face and an independent mind.  “I volunteered for the Scott Brown campaign.  I feel his call for independent thinking and job creation is critical at this time.  I have the right professional experience to meet this call at the local level.”  Patrick points out that CPAs are among the most trusted advisors in the public’s view.