Selectmen candidates vie for seats

Selectmen candidates vie for seats

Arundel

Tom Danylik and Michael Drew are running for one three-year term on the Arundel Board of Selectmen.

Name: Tom Danylik

Age: 65

Address: 112 Bittersweet Drive, Arundel

Occupation: Attorney

Marital status: Married

Children: Two

Education: BA, Maryknoll College; JD, Boston University School of Law

Organizations-activities: Director York County Community Action Corp.; basketball coach, Arundel Recreation Department; assistant baseball coach, Thornton Academy.

Previous political experience: Former member Arundel Board of Appeals; present member Arundel Board of Selectmen.

Why are you running for office?

A desire to assist my town, and by extension my neighbors, in resolving the issues that confront it and them on a reasoned, fair, creative and equitable basis, all in an effort to make the town of Arundel a safe, affordable and harmonious place to live.

What are your top three issues and how would you address them?

1. Property tax burden: Obviously this is not an issue unique to Arundel. However I believe that Arundel is particularly vulnerable due to the availability of high school choice and the limitation placed on business growth due to the lack of infrastructure in our commercial areas. While there is no easy solution to this problem, particularly at the local level, I will continue to invest time and energy into the exploration of all options.

2. Arundel Fire and Rescue: For a number of years a restructuring of the status and organization of AFR has been discussed with no action. However, it appears the time is upon the town to decide its future. I believe that a town fire and rescue department is important, not only for the increased level of safety it provides, but also because it is an integral part of a community’s identity and thus deserving of the taxpayer’s support.

3. Regional School Unit 21: Whether to remain a part of the RSU or to withdraw from it (when and if allowed) is, and may well continue to be, one of the most divisive issues the town has experienced. I have not taken a position on the issue as I believe the lack of information on the consequence of withdrawal prevents me from doing so. However, I remain willing to listen to both sides and encourage those invested to present their cases in the context of civil discourse and against the backdrop of what is in the best interest of the children of our town.

Name: Michael Drew

Age: 40

Address: 21 White Pine Drive, Arundel

Occupation: Firefighter-paramedic

Marital status: Single

Children: None

Education: AD, para-medicine

Organizations-activities: Maine Federation of Firefighters, gardening, snowmobiling, ice fishing.

Previous political experience: No previous political office.

Why are you running for office?

My goal in running for selectman is to bring some new ideas and new direction to the board. In the past many of the positions on the board have been held for repeat terms. This is not a place for “politics as usual.” I believe the town and ultimately the citizens would be better served with some new faces that can make decisions based on what is best for the town in the current situation rather than the way it has always been done.

What are your top three issues and how would you address them?

1. Taxes. As with many communities this is a top priority. I think we have gotten away from the roots of Arundel in recent years. It’s important to keep the budget in check and make the difficult decisions between what we want and what we need. These are the same decisions most families make in their own household budget every week and month.

2. Town infrastructure maintenance. We have all seen the town hall falling into disrepair over recent years. This year’s board should place a new emphasis on making plans for the future. If a new town hall is on the horizon, planning and budgeting should begin soon. If not, the current building that has served us well for many years should be adequately maintained to avoid huge repair costs later that could have been avoided with proper upkeep.

3.Volunteerism in town. The town of Arundel relies heavily on volunteers. Many organizations in town are truly grass roots operations where our own neighbors provide the work force. The fire department, recreation department and historical committee are only a few on the long list. It’s concerning to see empty seats on town boards and (positions) go to election with nobody seeking the seat. We as a town need to entice citizens to get involved and help out. The board of selectmen can play a huge role in this effort.

Kennebunk

Deborah A. Beal and William A. Ward Jr. are running unopposed for two three-year terms on the Kennebunk Board of Selectmen.

Name: Deborah A. Beal

Age: 43

Address: 3 Portage Way, Kennebunk

Occupation: customer service representative at TD Bank

Marital status: Married 22 years

Children: Twin girls, Erin and Erica, 19 years old, attending the University of Maine Farmington

Education: 1986 Kennebunk High School graduate, 2007 University of Southern Maine graduate

Previous political experience: Two years on board of selectmen.

Why are you running for office?

I want to continue to serve the town. I have enjoyed the past two years on the board. As a lifelong resident, I believe I have the best interests of the town in mind. I want to make sure Kennebunk is a town where our children want to come back to live in.

What are your top three issues and how would you address them?

1, 2 and 3: Economy.

Today’s economy is affecting our citizens in multiple ways. Taxes across the board (from federal on down) keep increasing but sources of income don’t keep up with the pace of the increases. We are being asked to do more with less and for less. How to address the issue of economy – I can only do my best to make sure that tax dollars are spent wisely, expenses are controlled and budgets are adhered to.

Name: William A Ward Jr.

Age: 55

Address: 7 Lords Point Road, Kennebunk

Occupation: Owner, Arundel Computer Service

Marital status: Single

Children: None

Education: I graduated high school from Governor Dummer Academy, Byfield, Mass., in 1974. I attended Nasson College in Springvale 1974-1976 as a business major. After years in the airline and clothing businesses I attended University of New England from 1990-1996 as a business major.

Organizations/activities: Chairman Kennebunk Budget Board, non-voting member RSU 21 Finance Committee.

Previous political experience: I have run for selectman three times.

Why are you running for office?

Several challenges face us in the next few years. I believe my experience on the budget board from 2004 until present equips me with background knowledge to help and make a positive difference.

What are your top three issues and how would you address them?

I want to preface my remarks by noting that anyone elected is part of a seven-man team. I am a conservative and have no interest in seeing property taxes raised. Too many members of our community are struggling under the weight of taxes, the source of which is school funding. Selectmen unfortunately do not control the school budget but we can limit growth of the town budgets. In short we need to be as efficient as possible while still delivering vital services.

1. Maintain as close to a flat budget as possible by working on both town management and budget board. The budget should be reasonable but avoid being penny wise but pound foolish. One key area is energy efficiency. We need to look at any areas that can help control cost. We also need to make sure that those in trouble have energy assistance available.

2. For the next three years our budget will be strained by debt repayment. I want to slow the growth of new debt unless the funding source can truly come from a tax increment financing zone.

3. We need to look at ways of sharing resources and avoid the us vs. them mindset. I want to explore what if any ways might exist to share resources with the RSU and other towns to benefit Kennebunk residents. I define benefit as reducing cost or adding greater service value. This could mean purchasing as a group or sharing service delivery. I do think any such plan should be carefully reviewed. Nothing should be rushed. In rough economic times all local governments and school districts are in a lifeboat together. Occupants of a lifeboat do better when they find ways to cooperate. In short, look for win-win situations.

Kennebunkport

Mathew J. Lanigan is running unopposed for one three-year term on the Kennebunkport Board of Selectmen.

Name: Mathew J. Lanigan

Age: 47

Address: 69 Mills Road, Cape Porpoise

Occupation: Sales

Marital status: Married

Children: Three (ages 7, 5 and 2)

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management

Organizations-activities: Consolidated School Parent Teacher Association, Kennebunkport Business Association, Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce, KEMS Board of Directors, Kennebunkport Safety Committee.

Previous political experience: Selectman for the town of Kennebunkport for seven years; previously on Kennebunkport Budget Board and Growth Planning Committees.

Why are you running for office?

First, because I enjoy it. Second, because I feel I make a difference in a town I love. Third, because people have asked me to continue to run.

What are your top three issues and how would you address them?

1. School funding-renovation plans: I want to be sure that any renovations and funding include appropriate plans for upkeep and renovations of all of the schools that need the work. I especially am concerned that any plans include maintenance of Consolidated School. I want to be sure the actual plans are reviewed and discussed thoroughly so that the final plans are encompassing the needs of all of the schools without going overboard.

2. Road-sidewalk maintenance: Although as a town we do a good job at keeping up with our road maintenance, the major problem roads in town are state roads. I intend to work with Town Manager Larry Mead to continue to press the state to repair those roads that are their responsibility (not ours). I also want to continue to expand the sidewalk system within our own town.

 3. Public access: I will continue to work with the board of selectmen and the town manager in protecting all existing public access points to the beach and water throughout town as well as continuing to allow and protect public use of the beach at Goose Rocks.