Editor’s note: Verne R. Sund, incumbent, is running in a contested race for Precinct 1 city councilor in the Nov. 5 Greenfield general election.
Address: 81 Barton Road
Occupation (past/present): Currently retired; formerly in the U.S. Air Force for 21 years, achieving rank of E5 staff sergeant; in that position I handled millions of dollars’ worth of equipment.
Political experience: City councilor for four years; attended every Town Council meeting starting in 1990.
How long have you lived in Greenfield? I have lived in Greenfield 71 years, except for the time spent in the military. Even some of that time I lived in Greenfield and I traveled back and forth to the base where I was stationed.
What qualities would you bring to the City Council? I don’t take things at face value. I investigate to be sure what I hear is the truth. I want to hear what the people have to say and I want them to have a say in what goes on in our city.
Are you up to date on your property taxes? Have you ever been delinquent on your payments? Up to date, never been delinquent.
What subcommittee(s) would you be interested in serving on and why? Economic Development Committee — interested in seeing more businesses come to Greenfield and feel welcome by everyone. Greenfield needs more businesses to draw more visitors. Businesses need to be able to grow and expand. Community Relations Committee — to introduce more things for visitors to do while they are here, such as fishing derbies and skating on Highland Pond, hiking through the area of Sachem’s Head and Poet’s Seat Tower. To get to know the history of this area, such as the ski jumping for Olympic trials.
Dissatisfied voters petitioned to put the library and safe city ordinance on the ballot. What does that say about the confidence voters have in the City Council to make decisions on their behalf? Items as big as these should be brought before the voters, not just 13 people. Regarding the library, people need to know all the details, so they can make an informed decision on any project of this size. Regarding safe city, people need to do things right by getting their citizenship; otherwise what they are doing is illegal and why would we harbor people who are doing things the illegal way?
The city charter is expected to undergo revisions next year. What changes should be made, if any? It needs to be updated so it is easier for everyone to understand all of it, and everyone should be able to get a copy of it to hold the City Council accountable for their decisions.