text: Jul 20, 2010 at 12:01 AM Jul 20, 2010 at 8:01 PM
  Deutsches Altenheim, the German Centre for Extended Care, in cooperation with the City of Boston Election Commission, hosted Voter Registration Day on July 15.
  Republican Brad Williams, who is running for state Senate, said everyone should get registered, especially senior citizens.
  "Residents living here may not have always lived in the district," Williams said. "It's important for them to get registered. They have a lot of choices this fall. A lot of change is coming up."
  Williams thinks that Beacon Hill is not heading in the right direction and that he can help change that.
  "Things are not going well," he said. "There is high unemployment, a broken state budget, corruption and patronage. Taxes were raised during a recession, and we didn't make reforms.
  "I have the financial background to help turn this around," Williams said. "I've worked at an investment firm, as an adviser to individuals, families and small businesses. Voters need people who they can trust, and I bring that."
  Democrat Mike Rush, also running for state Senate, said that a lot of issues are facing the elderly, and that it's essential to support them.
  "They are financially strapped, pensions are thinner," Rush said. "I would help them if elected to the Senate. When we've had legislation on Beacon Hill, I have a strong record to stand up for seniors."
  Rush has supported the elderly as a state representative for the past eight years. He believes that we should help the people who have made our country great.
  "We owe it to do anything we can to help the seniors," Rush said. "They have knowledge that we don't. They are the greatest generation. I would be honored to be their advocate in the Senate."
  Another candidate at the voter registration was Democrat Ed Coppinger, who is running for state representative. He said that this is an important time for a voter registration.
  "You have young people and seniors who need to register before elections," Coppinger said. "These elections are critical for our community. We need to get people back to work."
  Coppinger said that he has always been involved in the community and believes that he could best represent the district.
  "I've worked as a business person, involved in financial sales and banking," Coppinger said. "We need to elect someone who shows fiscal responsibility. I believe that my fiscal responsibility would carry over well."
  In addition, Democrat Paul Sullivan, who is running for state representative, talked to the elderly at Deutsches Altenheim. He said that he really enjoyed meeting them.
  "They are very interested in meeting all of the candidates," Sullivan said. "They were really into it. I had a great time talking with them."
  Sullivan, who has been an assistant district attorney, said that he is running for all of the right reasons.
  "I look out for the public good," he said. "I do what's best for society. This is a great opportunity to make a difference in people's lives and have a positive impact on them."
  According to Gregory Karr, chief executive officer at Deutsches Altenheim, the nursing home joined the voter registration effort to gain public awareness for the state's nursing facilities and to demonstrate its commitment to public service.
  "It's really important to help people get registered," Karr said. "Especially this year in particular, with all the turnover."
  Karr said that Deutsches Altenheim reached out to all public office candidates to offer an opportunity to speak with members of the nursing home. He said that several of them responded and committed to showing up throughout the day.
  "It's important to learn what the candidates are going to do for the elderly," Karr said. "It's a good way to call attention to their issues."
  Karr also said that this voter registration day was a great way to keep the elderly involved in the community.
  "The members are sometimes shut off," he said. "We want to keep them knowledgeable and involved."
  As a part of the voter registration, residents of Edelweiss Village, a Deutsches Altenheim community, ate lunch outside and candidates talked with them.
  Deutsches Altenheim will continue to offer voter registration on an ongoing basis. Deutsches Altenheim is at 2222 Centre St. in West Roxbury, and the nursing home's phone number is 617-325-1230.
  People who would like to vote in the upcoming primary on Sept. 14 must register by Aug. 25. Those who would like to vote in the general election on Nov. 2 must register by Oct. 13.
  For more information, contact the Boston Election Department at 617-635-3767 or logon to www.cityofboston.gov/elections.