Downing Answers Brayton Pupils' Questions
 State Sen. Benjamin B. Downing answers questions about politics at Brayton School on Monday. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Pupils in in Grades 5-7 at Brayton School had a chance to ask state Sen. Benjamin Downing questions about his position, leadership, future plans, and life.
Downing made the rounds at Brayton on Monday afternoon and fielded a plethora of questions from what his favorite course was in to school, hobbies, and if he ever gets sick of driving so much.
However, Downing made sure to echo with each grade level the importance of following dreams but having the option to accomplish those dreams in Berkshire County.
"When I grew up around here our whole generation was told that the best days of this community were behind it, and there was nothing moving forward," Downing said. "I hated that talented young people were being told that, and I hope that all of you get to realize your wildest dreams ... but I want to tell you that you can do that right here, and there is a lot we have to do to make sure we can fulfill that promise."
Downing added that he hopes students get to go and see everything they want but wants to make sure they have the opportunity to come back home and be able to live a stable and happy life.
Downing explained to students that he works in the capitol building in Boston, or the building with the "golden dome." He said it is his job to try to fulfill the needs of the communities he represents.
He said he grew up in Pittsfield and never really intended to be a senator. At first he thought about being a teacher, a lawyer, a coach, and even the point guard for the Boston Celtics. He said after being rejected from law school and moving to Washington, D.C., he started looking more seriously at politics.
When asked if it is hard to be a senator, Downing explained that sometimes there is just not enough time to get everything done
"I need 24 more hours in every day to do half of everything that I think I should be doing," Downing said. "That is one of the weird things about the job, there is no job description. You show up you vote on a few things, but the job should be more than that and to be good at it you have to be out listening to people."
He added that his father was the district attorney in the 1990s so he grew up around politics.
"I grew up in a family where politics and public service was important," he said. "People were always volunteering for campaigns, and it was not weird to be woken up early on school morning to go hold signs during election season."
He said because of this he grew up with a strong sense of public service and the need to give back to the community that provided him with so much opportunity. He said he hoped students follow their dreams and understand the importance of giving back to the next generation of Berkshire County youth.
Downing explained that one of his favorite parts of the job is talking with Berkshire County residents. He added he also enjoyed helping people who may be cynical about politics. When he worked in Washington for Congressman John Olver, he would often answer calls from Western Massachusetts.
"I loved that moment of talking someone and hearing them realize the person that was talking to them on the other line knew what they were talking about," he said. "That's part of the reason I chose to run: I wanted to help more people and let them know someone was listening to them."
Downing said an important part of his job is being able to listen and being able to work with people who have a stronger grasp on what their community needs.
"Listen first and learn from people who clearly know," Downing said. "It is a sign of strength to say what you don’t know. Many people, especially in politics, pretend to know stuff that they don’t know anything about. You can get ahead when you know when to listen."
Some students had more pointed questions like what kind of jobs Downing wanted to bring to the Berkshires.
Downing explained he would like to bring in any job that could provide families with a stable living and these jobs could be in anything manufacturing to green energy.
Students asked when and how Downing was elected.
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He explained that in 2006, nearly 23,000 votes were cast and he won by 243 votes, just over 1 percent.
He said if two people in each of the then 60 precincts did not vote for him, he would have lost and urged the students to understand the importance of voting.
"When all of you get a chance to register to vote don’t let anyone tell you that it is not important," Downing said. "I am living proof that it is. It takes just couple of people."
Downing answered more questions and explained to students that technically they and their parents were his bosses. He added that he once talked to President Barack Obama on the phone before he was president and has met Vice President Joe Biden.
Students asked about Downing's future plans and if he was going to make a run for the presidency.
Downing couldn't make any promises but said he would like to run for other elected positions in the distant future.
He also said even though he could be a state senator forever, he feels new voices should be present so the Senate does not stagnate.
"We need new people and new voices coming in and, hopefully, someday I am off doing something else and I get to cast a ballot for one of you guys," he said.
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