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Date: 3/1/2023
LONGMEADOW – On March 7, Longmeadow voters will decide who will fill a vacant position on the Select Board.
A preliminary special town election was conducted on Feb. 7 to narrow the field of candidates from three to two. Vineeth Hemavathi and Walter Gunn secured positions on the March 7 Special Town Election ballot. Hemavathi garnered 609 votes, while Gunn received 198, despite the latter having a background in Longmeadow town government.
“People have responded to my experience and to the new perspective I’d bring” [to the Select Board], Hemavathi said. “Turnout in the preliminary election was more than double of an average preliminary election, despite being held in the beginning of February. I’ve run a grassroots campaign and earned the support of former and current Select Board members as well as former and current state elected officials. People who know the job best believe that my experience, temperament and judgment are exactly what the Select Board needs right now. I’ve also earned the support of small business owners in the community.”
He continued, “Our coalition of voters range from seniors to high school seniors and it’s about listening to the community, understanding their problems and finding solutions.”
From Gunn’s viewpoint, “the primary results were a wake-up call to action. I am pleased to see that this special election for the Select Board has generated so much enthusiasm, but it’s important to continue to get out the word and spread awareness across Longmeadow. Electing members to our town governing boards is an important democratic process.”
Neither candidate plans to change their campaign strategy in the final days before the election.
“I’ve been focusing my efforts on talking to new people across Longmeadow, generating messages on social media, and attending town board meetings,” Gunn said of his campaign strategy.
Hemavathi noted that his approach is “to listen to folks, to bring people together, and to understand the stories and perspectives of people all over this town. It is about being attuned to the needs of the community and what folks are talking about around the dinner table or at a birthday party.”
He continued, “It’s about understanding that many seniors want to stay here, but can’t afford to, and we should be trying to build more affordable senior housing.”
Speaking of affordability, Hemavathi shared that despite running in the special election, he would have rathered the town had not conducted one.
“Folks don’t want politicians wasting about $20,000 of hard-earned taxpayer money to hold multiple elections to fill a seat for only three months when we have 6- and 7-year-olds raising money to make playgrounds accessible so they can play with their friends,” he remarked, referring to efforts by second graders at Blueberry Hill School to have the Community Preservation Committee fund inclusive school playgrounds.
Gunn emphasized his experience in municipal government and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission as rudders to steady the ship in a time of change.
“I want voters to know that I have the experience, knowledge and dedication that our town deserves and the Select Board needs. Longmeadow is facing a variety of challenges and the Select Board, a board that is the caretaker of town business and provides non-partisan stewardship, will be on the frontline. I am the candidate that is prepared, will attend all meetings and listen to residents, as well as use my lifelong experience and institutional knowledge to ensure our town continues to thrive,” he said.
However, Hemavathi noted that a background in municipal government is not the only type of experience. He cited his work as a lawyer, teacher and national security analyst as well as his work with nonprofits as being beneficial on the Select Board. He also pointed out that his election would add to the perspective of the board.
“I would be the only member with children who will attend the new middle school. Longmeadow’s success means my children’s success,” Hemavathi said. “I would also be the first person of color ever elected to the Select Board. My election would be a moment in history for this town.”
Voting will be available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 7 at the Community House, 735 Longmeadow St.