A political newcomer is running against an experienced candidate for the open seat on the Board of Selectmen.
Board chairwoman Marion McEttrick has decided not to seek reelection after serving three terms on the panel, and J. Thomas Hurley and Richard Livingston are vying for the vacant spot.
Hurley, who has served as an appointed member on the town’s Warrant Committee for six years, owns a private auditing and accounting practice in Quincy. He says he can bring his experience in finance to the board.
“I know an awful lot about how the town works, and what I think is lacking on the board is a strong fiscal background and I think I have that,” said Hurley, a lifelong Milton resident.
To boost revenue, he said the town should build up the commercial areas that already exist instead of trying to add commercial space to highly residential areas.
He also said he’d like to look at more ways that the town can consolidate certain functions. One idea is to combine the school system’s administrative department with the town’s administration.
Livingston, a Town Meeting member for 17 years, ran in the 2010 state election for the Senate seat held by Senator Brian Joyce. He lost in the primary to fellow Republican Bob Burr, of Canton, who then lost to the incumbent.
Livingston said one of the biggest issues the town needs to tackle is repairing sidewalks. “We have sidewalks in total disrepair ... the asphalt is cracking and buckling,” he said. “Those are the things that are a major concern.”
He said he also wants to hold the town accountable when it cuts down trees, by requiring it to plant new trees. He said he knows of trees on his street, Warren Avenue, that have been cut down by the town and not replaced.
Livingston, who works at the state Department of Transportation, says he wants to serve. “I’m not ashamed that I’ve run for public office,” he said. “This doesn’t mean that this will be the last time I run for public office. I find it as a very positive thing.”
Livingston said he hasn't attended election debates because he finds his campaign is better served by going door-to-door and making phone calls. He also said he has had a recent surgery that prevented him from participating in debates.
The town election will be held on April 26.
Sarah Favot can be reached at sarah.yourtown@gmail.com.
Board chairwoman Marion McEttrick has decided not to seek reelection after serving three terms on the panel, and J. Thomas Hurley and Richard Livingston are vying for the vacant spot.
Hurley, who has served as an appointed member on the town’s Warrant Committee for six years, owns a private auditing and accounting practice in Quincy. He says he can bring his experience in finance to the board.
“I know an awful lot about how the town works, and what I think is lacking on the board is a strong fiscal background and I think I have that,” said Hurley, a lifelong Milton resident.
To boost revenue, he said the town should build up the commercial areas that already exist instead of trying to add commercial space to highly residential areas.
He also said he’d like to look at more ways that the town can consolidate certain functions. One idea is to combine the school system’s administrative department with the town’s administration.
Livingston, a Town Meeting member for 17 years, ran in the 2010 state election for the Senate seat held by Senator Brian Joyce. He lost in the primary to fellow Republican Bob Burr, of Canton, who then lost to the incumbent.
Livingston said one of the biggest issues the town needs to tackle is repairing sidewalks. “We have sidewalks in total disrepair ... the asphalt is cracking and buckling,” he said. “Those are the things that are a major concern.”
He said he also wants to hold the town accountable when it cuts down trees, by requiring it to plant new trees. He said he knows of trees on his street, Warren Avenue, that have been cut down by the town and not replaced.
Livingston, who works at the state Department of Transportation, says he wants to serve. “I’m not ashamed that I’ve run for public office,” he said. “This doesn’t mean that this will be the last time I run for public office. I find it as a very positive thing.”
Livingston said he hasn't attended election debates because he finds his campaign is better served by going door-to-door and making phone calls. He also said he has had a recent surgery that prevented him from participating in debates.
The town election will be held on April 26.
Sarah Favot can be reached at sarah.yourtown@gmail.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment