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Ethos Elated Over Appointment of FESTA as Elder Affairs Secretary

By October 1, 2007No Comments

Jamaica plain, MA (October 1, 2007) – “Governor Patrick is fortunate to name someone who understands elderly services and the state house,” stated Ethos Executive Director Dale Mitchell. “Mike Festa will be a great asset to the governor’s cabinet, and a savvy negotiator.  Festa has been the champion of community care for his entire legislative career. I congratulate the governor on this appointment.”

Festa is a passionate advocate, who is guided as much by his heart as by his head. He knows the elderly system from the inside—because that’s where he’s been for the past 8 years. In addition, he is committed to the principle that older people in this state have a civil right to be cared for in the least restrictive setting possible.

“We could not be any happier with this appointment,” added Exec. Dir. Mitchell. “Since his maiden speech on the floor of the house back in 1999, Representative Mike Festa has been the “go to” person on Beacon Hill for elderly home care issues. Every budget season, he has fought vigorous for millions of dollars in community based funded for the elderly.”

In 2006, Festa was the lead sponsor for the landmark equal choice law, but before that he was a key player in the passage of the community choices program, which has kept thousands of people out of nursing homes.