Editor’s note: This questionnaire completed by Brickett Allis is the first of three for the candidates running for Greenfield mayor in the Sept. 10 preliminary election. Look for one by Sheila Gilmour in Thursday’s Recorder and Roxann Wedegartner in Friday’s. They will also be available online at recorder.com.
Address: 300 Wells St., Greenfield
Education: Greenfield High School diploma
Occupation (past/present): Past — mostly self-employed. Current — two jobs, one for our family business (Arts & Antiques on 5 & 10) and subcontractor shooting fireworks.
How long have your lived in Greenfield? Born and raised in Greenfield 38 years.
Political experience: 19 years on council (past president, vice president, chair of W&M, A&O and CRE. Member of EDC. Appointed member of ZBA, 2010 Charter Review Committee, Capital Improvement Committee.
What sets you apart from the other candidates? I believe that my experience and knowledge specific to Greenfield is what sets me apart from my opponents. I am the only candidate that has institutional historical knowledge in all aspects of our city and has close relationships with many of our valued municipal employees. I have gained this knowledge and created these relationships by virtue of my 19 years in service to Greenfield.
If elected, what would be your first order of business? In my opinion, and my first order of business — with support from our department heads — will be to start a comprehensive financial review of both the operating, capital and enterprise fund budgets. This will allow us to identify possible non-essential spending, but moreover will be necessary as the FY 21 budget will need to be submitted to the council three short months into the new mayor’s term.
What would be the most challenging part about being mayor and how would you overcome it? I believe the most challenging part of being mayor will be having to make some unpopular decisions in all aspects of the office. There will be times that the city just cannot spend money, or fund specific needs within a department; however, the mayor and the City Council are elected by the people to make sure that the city has what it needs to operate as effectively as it can while balancing the ability of its taxpayers to afford those needs and services. It will take someone with an open mind, to be transparent and think outside the box to find the balance between the needs of the city and the ability of our taxpayers to pay for those needs. I believe 100 percent that I am that candidate.
Can you give an example of a successful time or project when you collaborated closely with someone who doesn’t share your political beliefs? Many years ago on the council, I collaborated closely with a group of parents led by Nicole Letourneau to craft a Smoking Ordinance to protect the children within our city from the hazards of second-hand smoke. We worked closely for a few months and that work led to the successful passage of an ordinance written by me that prohibited smoking at any city-sponsored function (Fourth of July, triathlon, movies in the park, etc.) and within 25 feet of any playground. Years later, as I am now a parent myself, I am glad I had the opportunity to collaborate and draft this ordinance that will now affect my and my daughter’s life directly.