Greer Tan Swiston: Candidate for State Representative, 11th Middlesex District

My full name is Greer Hsing Tan Swiston. I realize that is a mouthful, but I suppose that also reveals a lot about me. I could not bring myself to drop the name that my parents gave me when I was born. However, I am also privileged to be a part of the Swiston family.

It definitely makes it easy to Google me ... so be my guest!

I am running for State Representative of the 11th Middlesex District. If you vote in Auburndale, Newton Lower Falls, West Newton, Newtonville or Newton Corner, please look for my name on the ballot on November 6, 2012.

If you have any doubt about your State Representative District, call the Newton Elections Office at (617) 796-1350 to confirm. With the recent redistricting and reprecincting after the 2010 census, there have been some changes.

I've gotten to know many people over the past several years, running and getting elected as a Newton alderman. However, for those who are new to the area or whom I've simply not had the pleasure of meeting yet, I'll share a bit of my background.

My husband and I have lived in Newton for over 20 years. Our first house was on Auburndale Ave. Now we live in West Newton. Both our kids were born at the Newton-Wellesley hospital. My son just graduated Newton North this year and my daughter will be entering as a freshman next year.

I graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  I worked for NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab as well as venerable corporations like Fidelity and Merrill Lynch as a software engineer, project manager and IT Executive.  I have been the second employee at a brand new start-up  and have been a staff member in an organization of thousands. My compensation has been hourly and salaried, with equity and with money, by paycheck and by commission. Given the economic roller coaster we're on, I've had the opportunity to experience employment and unemployment in a variety of ways. I have since retired from Engineering and Project Management and am now involved in real estate investment, sales and management as well as serving on the Newton Board of Aldermen.

I am also a habitual volunteer, always have been. I've gone from Girl Scout to Girl Scout leader; youth counselor to board member. The Newton Veterans know me as the lady in the red heels (lots of stories there). I've coached t-ball and soccer and teach a pre-school class on Sundays. I take great pleasure in working with residents in assisted living facilities and have visited almost all of the 15+ facilities that we have here in Newton with either the Girl Scouts or some other student group.  My family and I often volunteer at Chetwynde Golden Living Center in West Newton.

I've had the honor of being called upon by both Governor Romney and Governor Patrick to serve our State.  Romney appointed me to the Judicial Nominating Committee, the Commission on the Status of Women and to the Public Education Nominating Committee. Patrick appointed me to the State Advisory Committee for the US Commission on Civil Rights.

I feel strongly that American Democracy can only be preserved when voters have a choice and a voice. Newton deserves to have a choice. We all deserve to have a voice.

As Alderman, I've served on the Zoning and Planning Committee and on the Public Safety and Transportation committee giving me insight to what we face as a city and what support we would need from the State. As the Vice Chair and then Chair of the Post Audit and Oversight Committee I have some experience with the tools for exercising checks and balances in government. I would be bringing this experience to the state house. I focused on these issues because these were the concerns that I heard loudest and most often from the people I spoke with all around the city. I will bring this same energy, fresh ideas and enthusiasm to Beacon Hill as your State Rep.

It has often been noted that there are very few engineers or Asians in our legislature, certainly not in proportion nor representative of our population. It was also pointed out to me that one could not elect someone who doesn't run.

So I am running to give voters a choice, to give Newton a voice.  I look forward to the opportunity to chat with you individually, perhaps over coffee or tea, to hear your thoughts and concerns. For now, I am here to ask for your consideration, support and vote this November.

Thank you to the Patch for providing this venue to further build community and I look forward to getting to know you better and hopefully to meet you in person soon.