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Scibelli talks about his run for State Rep.

William Scibelli
By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



As a Republican member of the House, William Scibelli wants to carry on the traditions of being a "watchdog."

"I truly believe there needs to be a two party system," he said. He noted currently there are only 19 Republicans in the House.

Scibelli has been a member of the Longmeadow Select Board since 2004. He is facing fellow Select Board member Brian Ashe for the Second Hampden District seat being vacated by Mary Rogeness.

An attorney, Scibelli has been active in Longmeadow government since 1996 when he was a member of the town's Conservation Commission. He has also served as a Water and Sewer Commissioner and a Police Commissioner.

He has issued a five-point plan that sums up the major points of his candidacy:

He will not support any new taxes.

He is calling for fiscal responsibility from the Legislature.

He would work for the continued economic development of the Second Hampden District.

He is appealing for openness in government.

He would work for the region's fair share in state aid.

Scibelli noted in a recent interview with Reminder Publications his concern with the most recent state budget that was passed with "little debate."

"It was theater when passed," he said. "The Democrats knew it was at least $1 billion out of balance."

He added that State Treasurer Timothy Cahill now believes the sum is more than $1 billion.

"It's going to be an Armageddon in FY10," Scibelli predicted. He is also concerned about the possible mid-year budget cuts that might have to be made, but said he doesn't believe the governor should have the additional powers to make those cuts.

With possible cuts looming, Scibelli is most concerned about local aid.

"The system doesn't take in account towns like Longmeadow and East Longmeadow," he said. Longmeadow, he noted, relies solely on property taxes, as it has no industrial tax base. A town such as Longmeadow has little property on which to build new homes and expand the tax base Scibelli said. "The [state aid] system doesn't account for a lack of local growth."

If cuts are made on the state level, the earmarks to specific projects should be eliminated first. He noted that Gov. Deval Patrick had made a number of those line item vetoes, only to see the Legislature restore many of them.

On other issues, Scibelli sees a need to crack down on illegal immigration and is concerned about the additional education costs for the children of illegal aliens.

On same sex marriage, he believes the voters should have the right to decide the question, but doubts that will be allowed to happen.

Scibelli and Ashe are scheduled at this time to debate only once and that is on the WGBY program "The State We're In." Scibelli said he is willing to set up a number of meetings with Ashe.

Regardless of the outcome of the election, Longmeadow will have to fill a seat on the Select Board. Scibelli remembered that on the day he announced his candidacy to run he sent an e-mail to Ashe and received the reply "Me, too."

He added that neither of them knew the other's intentions.