Walpole Times: "Democratic Primary Profiles"
Democratic Primary Profiles: Leah O’Leary, by Brian DeCesare
September 7, 2006
Long involved in town issues, Norwood's Leah O'Leary said she feels compelled to run for elected office.
She faces incumbent Rep. John Rogers of Norwood in the September 19 Democratic primary for a seat in the 12th Norfolk District. The district covers all of Norwood and precincts 1, 2, 6, and 7 in Walpole.
With her youngest child 21 years old and her husband having passed away 14 months ago, O'Leary said she now has the time to devote to the position.
While she plans to focus on education, healthcare, better care for seniors, and local aid for police and fire departments, she said, she also has a "profound concern" about the values and priorities at every level- local, state, and national.
What bothers her most, she said, is her opponent's actions on the proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
Rogers at first was strongly in favor of such a ban, O'Leary said, but when it became apparent that a lot of people were opposed to that, he flipped.
She called Rogers' initial support of the ban "unacceptable," particularly since he's a Democrat.
As an adoption agent and social worker, O'Leary said she's worked with same-sex couples who've "rescued" children.
When one of the partners in the relationship has to spend nearly $400 a month on health insurance, that's money that could have paid for summer camp fees for the child, O'Leary said. If gay-marriage isn't legal, same sex couples can't get health insurance plans for their families.
On the matter of education, she said, there's no excuse for teacher cuts in Walpole.
While the town expects more Chapter 70 money this year, the funding still isn't where it was a few years ago, she said.
"It's very clear that people in Walpole are suffering from lack of funding for education," she said.
She noted that in fiscal year 2004, Massachusetts ranked 41st in the country in terms of the share of total public elementary and secondary education revenue provided for by the state government.
Having met dozens of people on the campaign trail, O'Leary senses that Rogers' constituents feel he hasn't been involved in the district lately, she said.
"I get that (feeling) even more in Walpole," she said.
"When I'm in the Legislature I'm going to be here for Walpole," she added.
As a social worker, O'Leary has worked with and fought on behalf of families for over 35 years. She did her doctoral work at Heller School at Brandeis University.
She spent two decades working at the stat Department of Public Welfare and the Department of Social Services.
In addition, she was part of the Townwide Taskforce Against Hate and Violence, in Norwood, and also co-founded the Norwood-Walpole Citizens for All Families, an organization that worked to cerate a more inclusive community.
Seven years ago, she founded and adoption agency in Norwood called A Red Tread Adoption Services, Inc.
"I love what I do," she said.
At this point in her life, she's eager to get involved in elected office. "I'm able to throw myself into this."
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