Governor still a select man in Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT – More than a decade after spending many hours in the room as a selectman, Charlie Baker returned to the Selectmen’s Meeting Room at Swampscott Town Hall Sunday to again greet his neighbors – this time, however, as governor.”I thought it was a wonderful thing that a person from our little town could be governor, and I thought it would be an omission not to send him off with our Big Blue best wishes,” said resident Carol Shutzer, who helped organize the event.Baker grew up in Needham, but he and his wife Lauren moved to Swampscott to raise their family and have become fixtures in the small seaside town. In fact, after years in the private sector, Baker returned to politics in 2004 when he was elected to the Swampscott Board of Selectmen.And while Baker’s inauguration Thursday had more pomp and circumstance and national Republican power players in attendance, Sunday’s event had plenty of hometown pride and charm – Baker simply crossed the street from his home to say hello to hundreds of his neighbors who queued up inside town hall.”The big message I would want to send to all of you today is this is a wonderful town, it’s filled with beautiful, generous, community-minded people who take care and look after each other,” Baker told his neighbors. “For us, the Bakers, it’s been an honor and a privilege to be a part of this great community, and I’m looking forward to having a chance to represent Swampscott and all it is as governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”The well-wishers and constituents of Swampscott represented all ages and political leanings.The Board of Selectmen presented Baker with a key to the town. State Sen. Tom McGee and Lori Ehrlich (both Democrats) greeted the Bakers warmly. Many of the town’s municipal employees, members of volunteer boards and other town citizens waited in line to offer their well wishes.”It’s got nothing to do with politics,” event co-organizer Sylvia Belkin said. “It has everything to do with the leader of the state living right across the street.”Not that people didn’t have some political advice.”We are so proud you are from Swampscott. If you need any help, call us,” a handmade card from 11 members of Girl Scout Brownie Troop 86303 read.Resident Joe Benoit said he’s already given Baker help – organizing the get-out-the Baker-vote in Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan. Benoit said he had met first met Baker when the governor’s family first moved to town and a house two doors down from Benoit on Banks Road.”It’s not just that he’s from Swampscott, I value what he’s bringing to the table,” Benoit said from the head of the line Sunday. “I thought that, as (personally) a Democrat, Baker was the best candidate this year and was the best candidate four years ago to bring this state back to where it needs to be.”Olivia Porter, 18, said she participated in her first election this November and cast a vote for Baker.”I’ve been to his house, am a friend of his daughter, have eaten lunch in his kitchen,” Porter said.Blake Moody, 12, waited in the line with his mother Leslie for a chance to meet the governor.This would be the second governor Moody has met; he said met Baker’s predecessor Deval Patrick when Moody traveled with his preschool to visit the State House.Moody thought this meeting with a governor might be a little be memorable.”I want to say to him that it’s very nice he’s governor, because it’s a very hard job,” Moody explained. “And congratulations.”