DEERFIELD — Trevor McDaniel feels it is time for his generation to get involved.
The 44-year-old Sunderland native moved to Deerfield about 12 years ago and has decided to run for a one-year stint soon to be available on the Deerfield Board of Selectmen. A three-year seat is being vacated by David Wolfram, whose job has required him to relocate.
Deerfield’s election is Monday. McDaniel is running against Leonard T. Grybko Jr. for the post. Voting takes place between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Deerfield Town Hall, 8 Conway St.
“My goal is to bring some civility and function to the board. Getting signatures (to be on the ballot), it felt like people wanted to be proud of their board,” he said, adding that he has no personal issues with current board members. “This is a good way for me to get my feet wet.”
McDaniel said he hopes to build working relationships and gain a full understanding of town government in the year left on Wolfram’s tenure and then he will consider running for an additional term.
He said he does not want to make any promises because he expects a significant learning curve. He mentioned there “is a lot coming down the road” for Deerfield, such as debate over a bylaw pertaining to funding the town’s wastewater system. Interim Town Administrator Douglas C. Finn has told The Recorder there has been discussion about establishing a committee to explore options related to sewer upgrades and maintenance.
McDaniel also said he wants to make sure the town puts money away for future projects.
He said his campaign has been an exciting and rewarding experience, as he has never before actively campaigned for political office, though he ran a successful write-in campaign for the Deerfield School Committee last year. He said people he doesn’t even know have called him to express their support and tell him they want to buy campaign signs. “This has been pretty cool to meet new people,” he said. “It’s been a great process.”
You can reach Domenic Poli at:
dpoli@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 257.
On Twitter, follow @DomenicPoli