Gold announces run for re-election to Select Board

Date: 5/9/2013

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

LONGMEADOW — Though Mark Gold had previously confirmed that he had submitted nomination papers, the Select Board vice chair formally announced his intention to run for re-election in a May 5 press release.

"During my tenure I am proud to have brought leadership, common sense and balance to the deliberations and actions of the Select Board," he said. "I am seeking re-election so that I can continue to use my experience to address contract negotiations, budget development and other issues that have yet to be addressed."

Gold will be part of a contested race pitting himself and fellow incumbent Mark Barowsky against political newcomer Alex Grant, a local attorney and Longmeadow News columnist, for two seats on the Select Board during the Annual Town Election on June 11.

Gold asserted that during his four years on the board — first elected to a one-year seat in 2009, then re-elected for a three-year term in 2010 — he had kept promises he made during his previous campaigns to take a "balanced approach" to the issues facing the town.

"I believe I have done that on issues ranging from budget preparation to our response to the October 2011 snow storm, one of the most serious natural disasters to ever hit Longmeadow," he said.

Gold also touted his abilities regarding budgeting and opening up new revenue streams for a town that has limited commercial property and a large residential tax base that bears the lion's share of the burden.

"I promised to pursue new sources of income to reduce our dependence on property tax revenue and with your help we adopted the local meals tax option, which is providing significant income to the town," he said. "I have taken a leadership position in the development of four town budgets. With fiscal challenges still ahead, I hope to be able to continue to provide the balance that the residents of Longmeadow have come to expect."

Gold added that he has launched a website for his re-election campaign, www.goldforselectboard.com that would have more information on his campaign, however, as of press time, the website had not been updated.