Voters faced with three contested races on May 19

Date: 5/15/2012

May 14, 2012

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

WILBRAHAM — Residents will be faced with three contested races during the May 19 Annual Town Election, the most prominent being the race for the open seat on the Board of Selectmen.

Russell Mitchell will face off against Robert Russell in a bid for the seat that is being vacated by current Board of Selectman Chair Patrick Brady, who decided not to run for re-election.

Mitchell, a member of the Wilbraham Fire Department for more than 20 years, was endorsed by the Wilbraham Democratic Town Committee and said he felt he could bring a different perspective to the Board of Selectmen.

"I think I would be bringing some fresh new ideas for the board," he said. "This is my first time going full-steam ahead into politics, but I think my experience makes me a good candidate."

Mitchell cited the need for new facilities in town, specifically a new senior center and a new police station, as one of the most immediate hurdles facing the town.

"That police station is probably the most terrible building for a Police Department I have ever seen," he said, adding that his experience with construction projects could prove valuable while trying to come up with a plan for a new building.

While never having had worked specifically with a full town budget, Mitchell pointed to his work with the Finance Committee, Recreation Commission and with Fire Chief Francis Nothe in developing the departmental budget, in addition to working with a budget as the potentate for the Melha Shriners as positive experience that would aid him.

He also said he hoped to find alternative funding options for the town beyond increasing the burden of the residential tax base, stating that he feels the town is missing out on crucial state dollars.

"As a town we don't rely on local aid heavily, I think, because of the mean income of the residents," he said. "I think we're losing out there."

Mitchell also pointed to his experience as a town employee as something that could be a useful tool for the Board of Selectmen.

"Having inside knowledge could help in contract negotiations," he said. "In the past we have negotiated contracts that have been fair to the Fire Department and the town, so I think that experience could help."

Russell, who is endorsed by the Republican Town Committee, has served on the Finance Committee for 11 years.

"I've lived in this town since I was in high school at Minnechaug [Regional High School]. I know it's a great place to live and I want to put the experience I've gained on the Finance Committee to help the town," he said. "I have experience in town government, I have experience as a local business owner, I'm a veteran and I have two children who have gone through the schools. My objective is to keep Wilbraham a great place to live."

Russell said unfunded state mandates and the increasing stress on tax revenue remain a top concern for the town.

"There are more and more demands on our tax dollars and we have limited resources," he said. "I have a good handle on the competing needs of the town and I feel I can help us get the best results for our tax dollars."

Russell said he felt the town does well in its efforts to maintain a strong commercial tax base to ease the burden on residents, but the current economy keeps the desired results from shining through.

"I think this town is very accommodating to the business sector," he said. "The struggles we're seeing are a sign of the economy overall. I don't think there's much more we can do."

Russell also said he hoped to continue the progress the town has made in dispensing information to residents, specifically in emergency situations.

"I think it's very positive that the town is working toward improving in this area and I think it's really good that we were able to come together to designate Minnechaug as an emergency shelter," he said.

Russell has indicated that he would resign from the Finance Committee if he was elected.

Four residents are also vying for two seats on the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District.

Gilles Turcotte, supported by the Democratic Committee, is making a bid for re-election to a three-year term on the board, while Michelle Emerizian, Marc Ducey and James Wilkinson have also thrown their hats into the ring. Emerzian, a teacher at Homer Street School in Springfield and Ducey, a member of the Finance Committee and Capital Planning Committee, were nominated at the town's Republican Caucus.

Dean Stroshine is seeking re-election to the Planning board against Republican challenger David Sanders.