Introducing Longmeadow Select Board candidates

Date: 4/6/2009

LONGMEADOW With six residents running for two three-year seats on the Select Board, and two residents running for a single one-year seat, town elections this year will offered voters many different options.

The Reminder will be interviewing the eight Select Board hopefuls so that the voting public can learn more about the candidates.



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Eleanor Stolar has been a Longmeadow resident for 45 years and she said she knows what the town used to be.

"So many 'new' people talk about the past," Stolar said. "I lived it."

Her platform for the upcoming election will be what she calls her three favorite words: accountability, transparency and community.

"[We know] the way the economy is going and I see waste in town," Stolar said. "I don't see any accountability. We need more responsibility in government. We need to be more cost efficient."

And, while Stolar acknowledged that a lot of people complain about this, she isn 't afraid to speak her mind.

"I won't have a game plan until I get into it [the Select Board], but I will speak up and say if things are not right," she stated.

Stolar is a 16-year member of the Board of Directors of the Longmeadow Council on Aging and is also the chairperson for the Senior Action Committee. She has never held an elected position before.

"There's a lot of things I have to learn, no doubt," Stolar said, but I'm not afraid to speak up."



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Roy Johansen has been a resident of Longmeadow for the past 10 years. In June, he will complete a five year elected term to the Planning Board. During the past two years he also served as a commissioner on the Community Preservation Commission. Prior to serving on the Planning Board, Johansen chaired the Longmeadow Historic District Commission for four years.

"I feel fortunate to be a Longmeadow resident and look forward to making a contribution to the town s future as a Select Board member," Johansen stated. "I believe strongly that the town's commissions, boards and committees need to work collaboratively to ensure Longmeadow addresses its aging infrastructure, continues to offer quality education to its children, and evaluates municipal services for the value they provide our citizens.

"It is also critical that we have a clear vision for our community that incorporates our core values," he continued. "The actions of the Select Board must include thoughtful planning to achieve the vision, challenging the status quo as needed, with the goal to continuously improve our community."

Johansen holds a Master's Degree in Urban Planning and worked early in his career as a city planner for the City of Jersey City.

"I feel it's important to be active in your community," Johansen said. "Prior to moving to Longmeadow I served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Historic Preservation Commission in Plainfield, New Jersey."

Inquires can be directed to Johansen at johansenforselectboard@gmail.com.