Fitzgerald announces candidacy

~ Submitted by John J. Fitzgerald, candidate for Select Board

LONGMEADOW I am running for a seat on the Select Board in Longmeadow because I believe that voters need a full discussion of the issues facing the town and, more importantly, we need representatives who will openly address the real needs of our community.

The town of Longmeadow has a long history behind it and an even greater future before it. In order to meet that future, and be prepared for it, we need to look at some of the real problems that the town faces.

Our number one problem is the need for revenue to finance needed town services. Our community is highly dependent on the residential property tax. The cuts in state aid over the last three years have forced us to rely increasingly on the property tax to fund local government. The property tax is inherently unfair. It is predicated upon the rise and fall of real estate values that are driven by market forces. The ability of residents to pay their assessed property tax is not reflected in these market prices. We need an increase in state aid.

The second issue we face is the allocation of resources within the town budget. Our schools are an overwhelming part of the budget because running schools is inherently labor intensive. However, in at least the last five years the school budget has not kept up with increases in other parts of the town's budget. Appearance has not matched reality and rumor has displaced reason.

Although we are not alone in our struggle for improved state and federal funding, we cannot confront our financial issues without honest dialogue, a commitment to complete financial transparency and a leveling of the political playing field in all aspects of town government.

We need to elect individuals who represent our interests and give voice to our concerns if we want to effect change in our community. I hope that my candidacy is a step in that direction.

I plan to address the following issues in my campaign:

Bay Path College derives benefits from its location in Longmeadow. Longmeadow should enjoy greater financial support from the college than it presently does.

A commercial and residential rate of taxation should be considered in Longmeadow. Are we best served by a flat rate of taxation for all classes of property?

Recycling of our trash is good for the Earth and good for Longmeadow. I support efforts to encourage recycling.

Building a new high school makes the most financial sense. Being receptive to ideas about the potential future uses of the old high school building is important.

Alternate ways of offering autumn leaf pick-up to residents should be discussed. How can we make the annual process fair to all our citizens?

Alternate energy sources for town buildings should be explored. Among the alternatives would be solar, solar electric, wind and hydro. How can we create "green" municipal buildings?

Longmeadow should adopt the Community Preservation Act.

I offer my candidacy for a seat on the Select Board in Longmeadow because I believe that I am uniquely prepared to serve the town. I am a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Government. I earned my M.A. in Teaching History from the same University. I have worked in town as a social studies teacher at Longmeadow High School from 1971 to 2004. I have lived in town and paid taxes in town since 1976. I am a member of the Longmeadow Historical Society, the Longmeadow Democratic Town Committee and I am a Friend of Storrs Library. I recently ended 13 years of service to the town as Registrar of Voters.

I look forward to a constructive dialogue with my fellow citizens, and with my fellow candidates, as we work together for the best interests of our community.