ORANGE — A write-in candidate seemed to shake up a forum designed to give candidates in Monday’s election a chance to tout their qualifications and appeal to voters.
A man whose name card listed him as Jon Avila explained in the Orange Armory Thursday night that he moved to town five years ago and is running for a three-year seat on the Board of Selectmen because he is baffled by what he considers government dysfunction and misappropriation of tax revenue. However, he often went on tangents, and his talking points forced moderator Christopher Woodcock to repeatedly interrupt and redirect the conversation.
Incumbent Kathy Reinig is running for re-election to the Board of Selectmen and faces a challenge on the ballot from James Cornwell. Avila is mounting a write-in campaign.
In his opening remarks, Avila criticized various functions of the town and spoke with increasing volume, resulting in Woodcock requesting that everyone remain calm and respectful.
“I’m the guy your mother warned you about,” Avila told the more than 40 residents in attendance. “I’m being as respectful as possible. … It’s the Italian lungs — they go all the way to my toes.”
Avila later mentioned he drives a school bus for a living and once served in the U.S. Army as a military police officer, achieving the rank of lieutenant.
When Woodcock asked a submitted question about municipal spending, Cornwell stressed that taxpayers always shoulder the burden and must be kept in the forefront of the government’s mind. He said he does not believe Orange has a revenue problem.
“I think we have a spending problem,” he said.
Reinig, who has served six years on the Board of Selectmen, said voters should remember municipal spending must get final approval at Town Meeting.
Resident Richard Herk said morale is low in Town Hall and he feels “the selectwoman” does not support the staff. He asked the candidates what they think should be done about morale.
Reinig said she knows morale starts with her and she has a positive attitude.
“I do support the Town Hall staff and if they don’t feel that way, I apologize,” she said. “The finance team has been doing a fabulous job. They know that. They know how happy we are.”
The election will be held on Monday in the Orange Armory. Polls will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.