Finn, Wong state case in final debate

SAUGUS – In their final debate before the Nov. 4 election, Christopher Finn, candidate for the 9th Essex District, said he aims to overhaul state education funding and improve Route 1 infrastructure, while state Rep. Donald Wong said he plans to help keep Union Hospital a full-service facility and improve local aid.”That’s funny because that sounds very similar to the promises he made to all of us four years ago,” said Finn.Speaking about Route 1, Finn reminded audience members that there is room for improvement in that section of town.”There’s no reason we can’t have a Google on Route 1,” he said. “It’s time to have an advocate on the state level who will go up there and fight for it.”Finn said that as an attorney, he has represented large banks as well as small, family-owned businesses and is aware of the challenges that are spread across a multitude of industries.In contrast, he explained that Wong only has knowledge of the restaurant business.”I’ll find out what we can do for Route 1,” said Finn.Wong reiterated that he was able to secure $2 million to replace the sewer and water pipes under Route 1, as the previous pipes would often burst causing significant traffic delays.Finn said Saugus residents tend to avoid Route 1 because of its dilapidated infrastructure and thus stay away from local businesses.”We have crumbling roads and crumbling bridges,” he said. “We need to be part of the state’s plan to improve Route 1.”Regarding Chapter 70 funding, Finn said Saugus has suffered under the current formula while towns such Lexington and Belmont have received $9.5 million and $6 million, respectively.Wong explained that Chapter 70 has been a problem “since my opponent was 4 years old.” However, he pointed out that the education funding formula will finally be addressed by the newly formed Chapter 70 Foundation Budget Study Group.He added that school funding is not something that Finn has supported as a Saugus Town Meeting member.”I would not have voted to cut $2.5 million from the schools’ operating budget,” said Wong.Finn returned the volley by pointing out that Wong had voted against increasing the minimum wage and is “out of touch with our voters on this one.”Wong said Massachusetts currently has the second-highest minimum wage in the country. Therefore, opening a Bay State location becomes unattractive to business owners as they will have higher payroll expenses, leading to fewer jobs and harming the state’s economy.”It’s a domino effect,” said Wong.