Why I’m running for reelection to the Select Board

This letter to the Longmeadow Buzz blog was submitted by Mark Gold, candidate for re-election to the Longmeadow Select Board....

Dear Longmeadow Residents,

I’m running for reelection to the Select Board because I believe I can uniquely continue to contribute to the progress of Longmeadow.  The experience I’ve gained during my tenure on the board has provided me with knowledge and understanding of the issues that are important to the residents of Longmeadow, and the ability to make progress on resolving those issue.  My position as senior member of the Select Board provides the stability and consistency that continues to support our Town Manager and Chief Financial Officer, both relatively new to their positions.  Yet with all that my past initiatives have helped achieve, there are achievements that remain incomplete, and I am asking for your vote on Tuesday, June 14th to allow me to complete these goals.

 

Since I began my service to the town, I have represented the residents on a wide range of issues, demonstrating my understanding of your concerns on issues as various as water and sewer rate setting, project management, support agencies, and capital expenditures.   I have an understanding at both the budgeting level as well as the operational level of the financial issues of the town and its functional departments.  While continuing to support the work of groups such as the Energy and Sustainability committee, Storrs Library, and others, I have uniquely focused my work and support on groups and issues that are critical to the smooth operations of the town, particularly those that have a limited constituency.   People who follow the actions of the Select Board know that my work for the town goes beyond the twice-monthly board meetings.  I represent Longmeadow on the Metropolitan Planning Committee, Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, and the Scantic Valley Regional Health trust as well as continuing to track the interests of the town at the Hampden County Regional Retirement board.   

Examples of my achievements during my latest term as a member of the Select Board are numerous.  As one example, I had a leadership role in negotiating contracts for the curb-side pick-up of trash, participating in vendor discussions both during the initial contract and the revision of that contract needed to respond to the bankruptcy of the Bondi’s Island trash disposal site.  My involvement in both processes had a positive financial impact for the town.  In a second, but even more impactful example of my individual initiative, leadership, and focus, the town completed the purchase and conversion of our streetlights to high efficiency LEDs, an achievement that is saving the town over $400,000 per year in lease and operating costs. 

Over the past 26 months our world has been impacted, and progress on new initiatives slowed, by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our town manager, and indeed our entire town government has necessarily focused on addressing COVID related issues that were never anticipated.  I am asking for your support in the upcoming election to allow me to provide my knowledge and support as we regain the ability to address issues that have been deferred over the past two years; issues such as the installation of a solar energy facility and town-wide internet access. 

It is my hope that in the coming term you will support these initiatives (and others) that will enhance the services the town provides for its residents while maintaining the quality of life that makes Longmeadow a distinctive community in Western Massachusetts.   

I ask for your vote in the June 14^th town election to allow me to make that possible.