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Most candidates favor future override, more aid, less division |
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Written by Bob Sprague
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Sunday, 30 March 2008 |
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Page 1 of 3  SIGNS OF TIMES: Scene outside Town Hall on Candidates' Night on March 27.
In the two contesleted races for the April 5 Town Election, most candidates for selectmen and School Committee said they foresee a future Arlington that continues the Lyons five-year plan, as well as a future that includes an override. As to more immediate issues, most of the four selectmen hopefuls called sidewalk snow-shoveling a priority, while most of the five school candidates looked to ways to heal the division marking the past year.
March 29: LWV denies it provided advance look at questions
The March 27 Candidates' Night, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Arlington and Vision 2020, drew about 200 people to Town Hall, a number of whom held political signs outside beforehand. Here is a summary of the answers to many of the questions:
Board of Selectmen
How do you see the impact of Lyons' plan as it enters the fourth of its five years?Annie LaCourt, a senior information systems manager for YouthBuild USA and on the board since 2005, said the plan help look to the future and focuses the town on its priorities. One weakness, she said, is that the current plan does not take into consideration how some of those priorities might change more than expected. An example, which she did not cite, is the cost of healthcare.
Diane Mahon, a court reporter and on the board since 1998, said that the plan show that "when we make a promise, we stick to it." She noted that the stabilization fund will have $6 million in year six after the plan began, in 2005.
Ken Marquis, who had been newsletter coordinator of the Epilepsy Association of Boston andin his first run for selectman, did not address the question directly but said he hoped to reduce taxes and that he had supported Prop. 2 1/2 with Nancy Higgins.
Tom Caccavaro, president of his town-based construction company and making his first run for selectman, called the "Lyons plan correct," but he said healthcare costs had shot up 13 percent. "We need to sit down and negotiate" these costs, he said.
Should town funds be used shovel snow from sidewalks?"It's a priority," Mahon said, citing a Town Meeting warrant article calling for further support of town funds for such clearing.
Marquis, who lives of Medford Street, said his neighborhood does not need such town help.
Caccavaro had another view of the same neighborhood. "[I'm] tired of my 84-year-old grandmother walking down Medford Street" on unshoveled walks, he said.
LaCourt noted walks are now cleared around town and school properties, but that curb cuts are a problem.
What contingency plan do you have if local aid is cut?"You have to set priorities," Caccavaro said, citing his top three -- public safety, education, infrastructure. He said he has a three-year plan for each.
LaCourt pointed to 5 percent held in reserve. "We might have to go into the reserve sooner," she said.
"Need to do a better job on Beacon Hill to improve the local-aid formula," Mahon said
On the other hand, Marquis said "We don't need money from Beacon Hill."
The introductions that the candidates for selectmen offered provided snapshots of who they are:
Caccavaro launched a series of booming sentences, each beginning "I appreciate ...." He concluded with his slogan: "Preserving Arlington's past, building Arlington's future."
LaCourt provided specifics, noting her roles in combing town and school IT functions and launching a town complaint-tracking system.
Mahon delivered chirpy optimism, noting her personal service to constituents and saying she encouraged "listening and learning from each other."
Marquis said he is a "person who is able to get things done" and said the town should again pursue the Park West Program, used when he attended Arlington public schools.
April 5 Town Election information
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 05 April 2008 )
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