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Date: 4/14/2021
HAMPDEN – As town election season approaches, two residents are vying for a seat on the Hampden Select Board. Craig Rivest is seeking to unseat incumbent Mary Ellen Glover for a position on the three-person board. Reminder Publishing reached out to the candidates and asked them to introduce or reintroduce themselves to residents. The following are their introductions in their own words.
Mary Ellen Glover
My name is Mary Ellen Glover, and I am running for re-election as a selectman. I have lived in Hampden since 1970, and it is where my husband and I raised our two children. I am a graduate of Cathedral High School and Our Lady of the Elms. Additionally, I have an MS degree from Springfield College and a sixth-year degree from Cambridge College.
Professionally, I was a teacher and counselor, having taught everything from second grade to college, and have been a counselor in Massachusetts and Connecticut. A member of several professional organizations, I have delivered numerous educational programs and workshops and have been a regular presenter at countless professional conferences. As a member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, I was responsible for evaluating high schools for accreditation. I’ve also worked with numerous colleges to train school counselors and have trained as a paralegal, realtor, hospice worker, and interior designer. I was named the Connecticut Counselor of the Year and was fortunate to lead a high school guidance department recognized as the Outstanding Counseling Program in Connecticut three times. Finally, Gov. [M. Jodi] Rell designated me as a Treasure of the State of Connecticut.
Civically, I have held various elected positions in Hampden for almost 20 years. I was a member and chair of the original Hampden School Committee and then the Hampden Wilbraham Regional School Committee, serving as its chair for more than a decade. I founded the Hampden Parent Teacher Organization. I organized Concerned Citizens for Educational Excellence, which seeks to require the Regional School District to abide by the Regional Agreement with Hampden to educate K-8 students at schools in town. Contrary to some claims, the HWRSD only agreed to settle if Hampden gave up everything.
Finally, I am privileged to serve as a selectman and represent the people of Hampden by offering specific proposals, noting the consequences of decisions, using data to influence debates, and voting my conscience.
I believe the depth of my experience gives me a unique perspective to effect positive change. For example, in just a year as a selectman, I organized a public forum to discuss the Transfer Station and Ambulance Services. I developed the Board of Selectmen Policy and Procedure Manual, which clearly defines its operational model. I facilitated a session for the board to assess its strengths and weaknesses and develop goals. Finally, I spearheaded the effort to secure a contract for the [interim] town administrator for the next 15 months when the town was in danger of losing his services.
While I bring unique skills to this position, my best contribution is my willingness to ask difficult questions. For too long, there has been uniformity of thinking on the board. I, however, appreciate debating all sides of a topic vigorously. To me, it is more important to make the right decision than a unanimous one.
I am committed to being your voice as a Hampden Selectman and appreciate your support and vote.
Craig Rivest
If being a parent of two school-aged children has taught me anything, it would be to relax, breathe and learn how to negotiate. While I do not have a background in politics, I feel that my experience as a small business owner who is raising a family in today’s modern world is what makes my choice to run for selectman different. My ability to come up with creative, yet logical ideas to help solve real-world problems, that not only affect today, but the world in which our children will inherit is my main priority.
I am willing to do what it takes to be a positive influence as a community leader, being young enough to understand and represent the next generation of Hampden’s families and citizens, but old enough to understand community preservation in this small historic New England town.
In the near future, we are going to be facing many struggles, both physically and financially, especially as we rebuild from the results of the COVID pandemic. There are many upcoming items that require taxpayer’s attention, such as the DPW expansion, fire station expansion, Hampden vs. HWRSD lawsuit and the Main St. drinking water issue to name just a few. I want to make sure that we are not only looking out for our current generational concerns, but the future generations that will call Hampden home, as the decisions we make today can last a lifetime.
I strongly believe that we need to come to a resolution on the school lawsuit, it is becoming costly for both sides, nearing a combined $250,000 thus far and has created more division than unity. From what I hear, the School Committee is ready to drop it entirely and move on. I feel we need to get our focus back on working together for our children’s future.
I would like to revitalize the Minnechaug Mountain land trust and the town-owned hiking trails to get more residents active in nature. I would also like to form a research committee for broadband internet town-wide. Other small hill towns have already received state grants to build their infrastructure and we should at least explore the possibilities as well.
I would love to see more people involved within the town, boards, committees, recreation etc., especially the next generation of Hampden. We all live here; let us all participate in building our 21st century.
My goal in running for selectman is to lead by example and be a positive influence. I do not pretend to hold all the answers, but in searching for solutions, I am willing to explore, create open dialogue and listen to input from people on all matters they feel are important to help Hampden grow and prosper.
Thank you for taking the time to read a little about me and some of my goals for Hampden. I would be thrilled and extremely honored to be the next Selectman of Hampden. For more information about my campaign, please visit www.craigrivest.com.