Forum introduces local candidates to voters

Date: 3/29/2010

March 29, 2010

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW - The annual town election will be taking place in East Longmeadow on April 13. Last Thursday, candidates - both formally on the ballot and those seeking write-in votes - gathered at the Pleasant View Senior Center to introduce themselves and speak on the issues they deem most important to a near capacity crowd.

Seeking reelection are John Maybury for the Board of Public Works (as a write-in); Bill Johnston for the Board of Assessors; Jim Shiels for Town Moderator; Bill Fonseca to the School Committee; Mike Przbylowicz to the Planning Board; Virginia Robbins to the Board of Library Trustees; Jean Peirce to the Housing Authority; and Jim Driscoll to the Board of Selectmen.

Driscoll could not attend the forum as he was serving as a coach at a wrestling event in Virginia. He sent his son Conor in his stead.

Reading from a prepared statement, Conor said the first thing his father wanted to address was the fact that his opponent, former selectman Joe Townshend, was going door to door "spreading half-truths and half-lies" about him. If anyone has any questions about Driscoll's candidacy, he invites them to call him or e-mail him directly.

Once that was addressed, Conor noted that his father is asking for voters to support him for a third term and that he is proud of the work he's already accomplished, which included voting against allowing large "box stores" into town, gaining the funding for the renovation of the senior center, expanding the town's cable access station and helping the town to achieve its highest bond rating and largest amount of free cash in its history.

"He is running for election because there are a few things that still need to be done," Conor stated. That work includes allowing all municipal buildings to run on green energy, regionalizing services with neighboring towns and increasing the police department's personnel "to keep our town safe and sound."

Townshend, who served as a selectman from 2006 to 2009, said he is running for the Board of Selectmen because he believes "there has never been a more critical time for strong financial leadership" in the town.

"Every tax dollar must be accounted for and spent in a completely transparent way," he stated. "Financial responsibility of your elected officials in the number one issue you should look for in a candidate ... My track record on the Board of Selectmen, my business and my personal financial history is unblemished. The financial problems we face in the state and in the community make it imperative that your selectmen show sound fiscal judgement and credibility."

He added that spending voters' tax dollars is a responsibility he takes as seriously as he does spending his own money.

"Your representatives must be held to a higher standard in meeting the leanest budget we can while protecting the basic safety and education of our residents," Townshend stated. "Who you elect to the Board of Selectmen should be people who have integrity and experience in managing money." He said he has that experience in managing his business and his personal life and that he will bring that to the selectmen again if elected.

One way he plans to show that experience is through a Town Meeting warrant article that will ask the town to sell the boarded up property on Allen Street, turning "a liability into an asset."

"I will make your tax dollars work hard for you ... You have the right to demand your selectmen be responsible taxpayers to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the United States and the town of East Longmeadow," he concluded. "I have proven I can handle a seat on the Board of Selectmen in a truly transparent and honest way."

Other residents running for seats this year include Susan Degrave (as a write-in), Bill Gorman (as a write-in), Joseph Cabrera and Elizabeth Marsian-Boucher, all seeking seats on the School Committee; Gorman is also seeking a position (as a write-in) on the Board of Public Works because he wants to "try to correct problems we have."

Each candidate had three minutes to speak at the forum. After each had had their turn, the floor was opened for questions and comments. Only three questions were asked, and none of them were directed toward the selectmen candidates.

East Longmeadow's town elections are scheduled for April 13 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Birchland Park Middle School.

To see video of the candidates forum, visit ELCAT's Web site at elcat.peg.tv.