Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address: None.
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Present member Town Meeting and Community Development Advisory Committee. Past chairman Planning Board and Growth Study Committee; past vice president Mass. Federation of Planning & Appeals Boards.
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Present political columnist, Saugus Advertiser. Past newspaper reporter and Harvard University administrative assistant.
Degrees Held / Education
A.B. in English and education.
Currently A Member Of...
Director and former president of SAVE; Friends of the Saugus Public Library; Friends of the Boston Public Library; Friends of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
What are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
There is certainly an urgent need to preserve open space in Saugus, and it is always an uphill fight to defend the environment, where the forces to contend with are always well-funded, relentless and totally focused on open space serving their short-term goals. But we should never give up!
Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
No one knows now what the next century will bring! We need to place education in the hands of people of intelligence, dedication and flexibility to adjust to the changing culture and advancing technology. Education will not prosper until those in charge are looked upon as true professionals.
What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
My stand on overrides, tax increases and town borrowing will always rest on the merit of the individual causes prompting the requests. We are not, after all, a spendthrift town!
What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
Since we have already acquired a property to locate the West Side Fire Station, and the need is a proven one, let's go ahead with it!
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
Once again, with one of the lowest tax rates in our area, we are not a spendthrift town! By looking at all sides of each issue as it arises, we will not bankrupt the people of Saugus.
How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
Environment and growth control, acquisition of open space; finding ways to control burgeoning traffic and parking problems; and, always, support of our schools by providing the best facilities and personnel.
What else do you think is important?
The lack of real interest in good government on the part of the public -- with only 60 people running for the 50 seats in Town Meeting, where all our budget and by-law decisions are made -- is stunning.
Submitted: 10/20/1999
E-mail Address:
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
SAVE (Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment) past President, current Vice President
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Barnes & Noble Booksellers (part time)
Degrees Held / Education
BS in Education 1972
Currently A Member Of...
SAVE (Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment),
Saugus Tree CommitteeWhat are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
I strongly support open space preservation / aquisition in Town and think it has to be part of the Town's overall plan because the aggressive pace development has taken in Saugus will not allow it to wait. Once the land is gone, it is gone forever.
Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
We need to make sure that books and computer equipment are up to date. Also I think we need to get past the total focus on MCAS testing. A good curriculum requires much more than preparing a student to pass a specific test.
What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
Similar to planning a good working budget in our personal lives, borrow only when necessary and justified.
What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
The West Side of Town needs and should be supported by adequate public safety. The fire station is long overdue and very necessary.
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
I think that all Boards and Departments need to be made more accountable for their budget choices to make sure that our dollars are spent most wisely and effectively.
How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
Building the Veterans School, building the West Side Fire station, and working to improve the condition of our existing schools.
What else do you think is important?
I think that overcrowding in our schools will become a bigger problem as more neighborhood developments are completed. Also, our sidewalk tree replacement program has been sorely neglected. Those orange x's on trees throughout Town mean that they are slated for removal but there are no plans or provisions for replacements.
Submitted: 10/16/1999
Has not yet participated.
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Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Political Web Page: None.
E-mail Address:
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Town Meeting Member Precinct 3 1989 to present
Saugus Board of Health 1989 thru 1995
Past Chairmen Saugus Board of HealthCurrent Occupation / Work Experience
Registered Nurse for last 20 years Certified in Gerontology
Employed by Harborside HealthCare (formally Louise Caroline Nursing Home) and Universal Staffing ServicesDegrees Held / Education
Associate Degree North Shore Community Colledge in Nursing
Currently A Member Of...
Town Meeting for the last ten years
What are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
I believe we as a community must develop a plan, dedicate money, pursue grants and control development to preserve open space. I agree with the concept of creating a land bank with the approval of the voters.
Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
The creation of a master plan for the school system has been completed. The master plan must now be fine tuned with imput from the community in order to prioritize each schools needs according to class size and projected enrollments. Funding sources must be established so we can afford to do what must be done. Increasing our technology and coordinating curriculum is imperative.
What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
I am opposed to living beyond what the tax payer can afford. We have an outstanding Finance Committee who makes recommendations to Town Meeting. We all must live within a budget so should the Town Administration spend as the budget dictates. ACCOUNTABILITY in spending is something I have always fought for.
What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
I support the immediate building of a West Side Fire Station. I feel compromises should be reached regarding size, staffing ratios, and location before a preventable tragedy occurs.
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
The town has a Personnel Board and we should utilize this Board to establish staffing needs and job desription as well as salary minimun and maximums. Hiring and terminations should NOT be done by just one person with total authority. Salaries should be what Town Meeting approves and raises based on merit and longevity.
How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
- Building the New Veterens School
- Building the West Side Fire Station
- Settlement Of Fair Labor Standard Act
- Settlement of Employee Contracts
- Implementation of the New Schools Master Plan
What else do you think is important?
The purchase of Vinegar Hill and greater education and sharing of information with the voters as to why we as elected officials cast our votes the way we do.
Submitted: 10/16/1999
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Political Web Page: None.
E-mail Address:
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Presently I do not have any Political experience which I believe makes me an ideal candidate. I feel politics are getting in the way of doing the right thing. There are too many personal conflicts that should stop. I will
Current Occupation / Work Experience
I have been a Supervisor at the MWRA for 12.5 years. Recently I was involved in an accident at work which required me to have numerous knee and back operations resulting in my early retirement. I feel the time that
Degrees Held / Education
Presently I am working towards my degree in Civil Engineering.
Currently A Member Of...
Saugus Youth soccer.
What are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
I believe we should try to save any open space in Saugus instead of building more houses. At this time are schools are over crowded as it is and the Police, Fire and DPW are under staffed.
The tax dollars generated by these new houses are not paying for the essential services needed. The only individuals benefiting from the new developments are the builders, andDo you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
I would like to see the deteriorating infrastructure of our schools addressed immediately so that we may fix some school buildings now, rather than building them new later.
Some schools especially in areas that have been heavily developed need additions built on their school, so that we can address the enormous class size.
I would like to seek more grants to lift the burden off theWhat do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
We should only borrow when absolutely neccessary and try to live within our means. Some buildings in our town such as schools, and the West side Fire Station have been put in the back burner for so long it has come back to haunt us, which is why we should search for grants and endowments to help fund these buildings so our tax base does not
What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
I think the residents on the West Side have been very patient because I believe that station should have been built 10 years ago when development began. Those residents deserve the same protection that other residents are receiving.
It is long over due.Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
I would like to get rid of unneccessary studies that we probably know the answer to anyway and consultants with high fees.
How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
- Schools - same priority West Side Fire House
- Labor contract completions
- C.I.P completion
What else do you think is important?
I think acountability is important, for instance if a parent has a question about their childs education they should be able to call their elected officials or school administration office and get the answer they are looking for I also believe that when we send our children to school we should be assured that they are entering a safe learning environment.
Submitted: 10/21/1999
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
none
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Police Officer @ The Department of Veterans Affairs Boston Mass. over 14 years of service with the Federal government
Degrees Held / Education
Bachelor of Science Degree, in Criminal Justice / Administration Salem State College, 1999
Currently A Member Of...
No answer provided.
What are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
We need to protect our available land. Developing on open space only for the purpose of creating revenue is not good enough. We need to look to the future and conserve our space.
Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
I would suggest new classes in child care and domestic violence. Give students an option to enroll in one of these's classes rather than a mandatory language that some students may never use.
What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
Most of us wish taxes would never increase. Tax over rides should be the last resort, like borrowing money. They should not be the first choice.
What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
I support the need for public safety and if the station will provide residents with a quick response to a fire than we need it. We cannot cut when it come to public safety.
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
Close audits of current spending practices and searching for cost saving ideas. Offer employees of town government incentives for those ideas.
How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
Control taxes and spending
West side Fire station
School system
Seeking state funds
Federal Aid
Open SpaceWhat else do you think is important?
No answer provided.
Submitted: 10/21/1999
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Town Meeting member, Precinct 4, 9 years.
SAVE Board of DirectorsCurrent Occupation / Work Experience
Assistant Registrar, Vital Statistics, MA, retired.
Civil Servant, 34 years experience.Degrees Held / Education
Graduated Saugus High School, 1946.
Currently A Member Of...
Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment, Board.
Saugus Historical Society
Friend of the (Saugus) LibraryWhat are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
I feel very strongly about it because pollution caused by excessive traffic can be partly relieved by growing plants in abundance. Excessive development makes this impossible. Places like Breakheart and Vinegar Hill should be kept free of this development.
Perhaps if neighborhoods "adopted" vacant lots and kept them planted and clean, we could take another step in the right direction.Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
We need a less crowded teaching environment, and better methods for preparing students for the future, which inevitably involves computers.
A new superintendant may be a step forward. Lobbying for curiculum changes in colleges turning out computer illiterate teachers is another thought.What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
Anything having to do with increases, overrides or borrowing should be very cautiously approached.
No one likes to borrow, but sometimes priorities demand it.What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
The West Side Fire Station is a necessity if we are going to protect all the citizens of Saugus.
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
Too many, too complicated for this space.
How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
Finish the Vet's School and solve some of the overcrowding problems in the system.
Find a way to begin a Land Bank for the purchase of Open Space Land.
Find a way to minimize the traffic dangers at the Route One overpasses.What else do you think is important?
I feel that the problem of the filling of Rowe's Quarry, which is looming ahead, must be addressed.
The possible problems of Conflict of Interests should be considered, as well.Submitted: 10/14/1999
E-mail Address:
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Town Meeting member, one term, Precinct 4.
Attended Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Appeals Board and Selectmen's Meetings.Current Occupation / Work Experience
Not now employable due to disability.
Former teacher of Composition & Literature at Northeastern University, 5 years.Degrees Held / Education
MA American Literature
Currently A Member Of...
SAVE (Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment), Saugus Historical Society, Concert Singers (of Greater Lynn).
What are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
Preserving open space is not as immediate as, say, fire prevention or police protection, but like education, it is a trust for the future. Berthold's is gone and Vinegar Hill could be next. We need to look into land banks and other options for purchasing such land, or children will never know open space or the creatures living in it.
Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
We need to increase each kid's ability to use the technology we now have, particularly the computer, and for this we need computers, but my main concern is that the School Committee answers to no one except the parents, with no input from the Selectmen, Town Meeting (whose job it is to appropriate funds), or Finance Committee. Consequently their budget is poorly planned and spent.
What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
Borrowing money is necessary at times, depending on the situation. I am deeply concerned that the Town Meeting did the wrong thing to borrow money to complete a portion of the Capital Improvement Plan, which was NOT supposed to need bailing out. Borrowing for it sets a terrible precedent.
Generally, all other possibilities must be considered before availing ourselves of this method of solving problems.What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
We need it. We have for a long time. We put it off for too long, for poor reasons. Let's put something else off for a change, and build it before it costs even more in lives and property.
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
Oddly enough, building new houses is very expensive...
Build fifty houses in one area, and you add more than that many kids to the school servicing that area. Those taxes will not pay for their schooling. Police and fire protection, water, sewer, plowing and trash collection are even more. Those fifty houses put money in a developers pocket, but it comes from the taxpayers' pockets.How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
The New Veterans' School's completion, The West Side Fire Station, and concurrent with those, is a moratorium on new building in Saugus. I don't know how this last can be done, but its time to fish or cut bait here. It's all about the future, isn't it?
What else do you think is important?
I think it's important to give the Planning Board and Conservation Commission the teeth they need to police and stop work on sites, and then fine more heavily builders who ignore the rules these boards set. Legal action may be sought to prevent others from doing the same. Preventing harmful destruction of wetlands, trees, etc., is better than trying to replace them.
Submitted: 10/12/1999
Political Web Page: None.
E-mail Address: None.
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Chairman, Saugus Housing Authority for 1 year, also a member for 8 years.
Saugus Town Meeting Member, Precinct 5, 24 years.
Member of HAWC (Help for Abused Women & Children)Current Occupation / Work Experience
Accounting Technition for a petroleum trading company, retired.
Degrees Held / Education
Graduated Saugus High, 1928.
Attended Burdette School for 2 years.Currently A Member Of...
SAVE (Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment) Board Member, 24 years member.
Saugus Historical Society, 10 years (or so).
Saugus Alumni Association.What are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
We must preserve any open space that's left, even if it means increasing the Conservation Commission's budget for buying open space.
Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
The schools need to keep up with modern technology. They should keep parents more involved. And, though this won't be popular, I think the school year should be longer, or at least, less broken up.
What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
I do not want to see the town borrow any more money, and if presented with an override, I'd probably vote against it. It's just like a homeowner: you can't live beyond your means.
What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
It's a necessity.
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
As long as the people in charge work within their budgets, and they are accountable to the Finance Committee, and they are held in line by their semi-annual reports, then I feel that it's up to the Administration to make sure we are spending what we can afford to spend.
How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
Get the schools up and running properly, so the kids can learn in the right atmosphere.
Preserve the Open Space that Saugus has left.
Controlling over-development.What else do you think is important?
It's important to keep the tax rate down so people can afford to continue to live here. Seniors who can't afford to keep their homes need a safe and healthy environment to live in.
Submitted: 10/23/1999
E-mail Address:
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Current Town Meeting Member from Precinct 5
Current Vice President of the Saugus Historical SocietyCurrent Occupation / Work Experience
Full time student
Work part time at Bob's StoresDegrees Held / Education
Working towards a BA in History at Salem State College
1992 graduate of Saugus High SchoolCurrently A Member Of...
What are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
Preserving open space is a top priority. With every passing day there is less and less open space in our town. We should keep saugus a nice place to raise children where there are fields to run through and tree limbs to swing from. Unfortunately, we are becoming more of an urban jungle, where open space is few and far between.
Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
The most important thing for the school system is to make sure that the facilities and resources available are all up to date.
What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
Tax increases are unfortunately a part of life. Tax overrides and the borrowing of money I am completely against. If you do not have the money at the time, go without it until it can be afforded. Also, you can not rob Peter to pay Paul.
What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
The West Side Fire Station is of the utmost importance. Every citizen of Saugus pays into the system, therefore should receive the same benefits. Especially when concerning people's personal safety.
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
Do not jump too far ahead. Work on one project at a time instead of numerous ones. Hence keeping spending at a minimum.
How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
After completion of the Vets School, the West Side Fire Station should be taken off of the back burner.
What else do you think is important?
Open space is what should be addressed next. This must be taken care of before open space is a thing of the past.
Submitted: 10/14/1999
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Town Meeting Member in precinct 5, President of SAVE (elected 1999), Vice President of SAVE (1997-1999), Tree Committee Member
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, UniCare Health Services
Degrees Held / Education
BSBA in Accounting (Suffolk University)
MBA - with honors - (Northeastern University)Currently A Member Of...
SAVE, Tree Committee, Toastmasters, Who's Who in American Woman
What are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
If we don't do something soon, we won't be able to answer this question in the future. There should be more public awareness of the lack of open space in Saugus -- there needs to be a public outcry! In is imperative that Vinegar Hill be preserved.
Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
I have two children, so this question is important to me. First, I think it's important for parents to get involved in their children's education. They should have a good relationship with their child's teachers.
What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
I don't like them. The town has to learn to live within its means. Saugus residents have to contend with Route 1 and RESCO. Where is the advantage of having this additional tax revenue? It's also bothersome to think that we cannot get a quote to rennovate the town hall or to build a firestation, library, etc. that met its budget.
What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
A West Side Fire Station is necessary for the safety of our Saugus residents. I support a West Side Fire Station.
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
Again, let's live within our means. Appointing qualified people to the appropriate boards will greatly improve the credibility of these boards' recommendations. People should also abstain from voting when there is a conflict of interest.
How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
- Over development is the #1 priority this town is facing. We don't have the infrastructure to support these subdivisions.
- Open Space issues need to be addressed immediately.
- Over population of schools due to new subdivisions.
- Increased traffic
- Poor public transportation
What else do you think is important?
Subdivisions are approved knowing full well that there will be negative impact on the town -- and they are allowed to proceed! Example: Birch Pond had inadequate water pressure. This should never had been approved. Now the town is trying to figure out whether or not to allow booster pumps and who will be liable. Bellevue Estates approved an out-of-court settlement with NO public input.
Submitted: 10/23/1999
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Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
No answer provided.
Current Occupation / Work Experience
No answer provided.
Degrees Held / Education
No answer provided.
Currently A Member Of...
No answer provided.
What are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
Very important issue facing us here in Saugus. I think everyone knows the importance of saving the inviornment, however it is very expensive and the people of Saugus shouldn't think that the town can afford to buy every piece of vacant land it sees. I believe that we are addressing the problem correctly.
Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
I am not an teacher or pretend to know anything about the school system. I do and will continue to vote for all the money the school dept asks for when they ask.
What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
I am against overrides, tax increases are unavoidable, towns always borrow money sometimes it is the only way, however I would rather not borrow money.
What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
I am chairman of the West Side Fire Station committee. I guess you know where I am on that one.
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
Everyone in all town departments want so much for their specific projects and they are all good projects that I don't know who you would start cutting first. I do wish that we could spend less on expensive surveys and consultants and projects like that.
Most of those surveys etc that are taken we already know the answers to ourselves.How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
Schools #1 Public Safety #2 Completing the CIP #3
What else do you think is important?
Everything is important to someone. You have to listen to people to find out how important it is to that person and deal with that
Submitted: 10/13/1999
Has not yet participated.
E-mail Address:
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Currently serving in my fifth term as a Town Meeting Member and my second term as a member of the Town Buildings Committee
Current Occupation / Work Experience
I am a systems analyst for Fidelity Investments and have developed IBM mainframe financial software for almost 30 years.
Degrees Held / Education
Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Boston University.
Currently A Member Of...
No answer provided.
What are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
Open space not only contributes to the emotional well being of our residents, but helps prevent flooding also. We don't have the money to buy all the available land, but we must buy what we can afford.
Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
None of us can predict what skills will be important in twenty five years. We must get children to read as much as possible, master written communication, and learning new skills. Parents are as important as teachers for the success of our schools.
What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
We all borrow to buy a house, borrowing for capital improvement is a normal recourse. The message from the electorate is clear, if they have to learn to live within their means, so do we.
What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
The thought of one person dying because the closest fire vehicle was on the other side of town in a traffic jam is horrifying. I am incensed that now that the senior center, library, town hall, DPW and public safety buildings are done, the West Side Fire Station is being forgotten.
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
Austerity has been the rule for a long time now in Saugus, this is not easy. The best idea is to effectively use what we have, resisting the easy answer of always buying new.
How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
Most important is nurturing our young people, preparing them to play an effective role in the future. Next is everyone in the town transforming from "what can the town do for me" to "how can I help make our town a better place to live".
What else do you think is important?
No answer provided.
Submitted: 10/30/1999
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Has not yet participated.
Political Web Page: http://www.bobhoffman.org
E-mail Address:
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Town Meeting member for Precinct 8 for the last 6 years. Chairman of the Saugus Building Committee.
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Owner of Rhoman Roofing Company, Trustee of the 1252 Realty Trust. Past Chairman of the Lindsey Greene Realty Trust.
Degrees Held / Education
Graduate of Franklin Institute. Associates degree in enginering
Currently A Member Of...
Friends of Breakheart, Saugus Historical Society, Friends of the Saugus Public Library, Friends of the Senior Center, S.A.V.E., the Saugus SETI team
What are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
I have always supported the purchase over the development of what little open space that is left. I believe that it is less costly to the town to purchase undeveloped land rather to allow it to be built upon. I supported the purchase of Berthold Farms, and I supported the purchase of Vinegar Hill.
Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
I would like to see the rebuilding of all our schools. All our Schools are in desperate need of major work. As chairman of the Saugus Building Committee I had the opportunity to view the schools in a differant light than most. It is my hope that our legislators will put more monies into communities that are seeking to modernize facilities for their students.
What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
Sometimes there is no other alternative. In the case of the Override / debt exclusion there were alternatives. I have always been fiscally conservative and felt that the money be taken from our exsisting tax base. I believe that the next area that will be increased is the water and sewer rates. This should have been the source of monies to build the new Veterans School.
What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
The Town is paying a premium for not having equal coverage. The average individual may not realize that the Insurance Premium would be reduced if our fire coverage / response time met the Insurance Standards of today. Because of the lack of fire protection on the west side of town every one pays. We as a communittee can no longer allow this to continue.
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
It is going to be difficult to stop the run away train. I believe that if we are able to live within our budjet that now exsists will be a major accomplishment. It will be the job of every one involved to question the actions of the powers to be as to what, when, where, and why?
How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
- Accountability in spending town money
- Accountability when building public stuctures
- Question appointments to boards and Commissions
- Building the West Side Fire Station
- Rebuilding Schools
- Acquiring more open space
- Suppoting our Building Committee
What else do you think is important?
The working with the current administration and the ability to convince the powers to be that there may be alternative methods to achieve the same results will be my challenge. I will look forward to be able to work cohesively with each and every individual in our town. Every one must put aside their personal feelings and come together for the benifit of our community.
Submitted: 10/17/1999
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Has not yet participated.
Political Web Page: http://www.jhn99.com/
E-mail Address:
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Town Meeting Member Precinct 8 - 1995- present, Housing Authority, State Appointee - 1995 - present
Current Occupation / Work Experience
Insurance Claims Consultant, involved in insurance claims business for 12 years
Degrees Held / Education
1980 Graduate Saugus High School
1985 Graduate Salem State College - Bachelor of Science - Business Administration concentrationCurrently A Member Of...
National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
What are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
N/A
Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
I feel the focus should be on getting our children to want to learn and achieve. I believe there is a stigma attached to achieving high grades. We must make our children proud to achieve and not be ashamed to stand out. Competition in the classroom is important just as it is for our athletic teams.
What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
N/A
What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
Although this does not pertain to the School Committee, I have many friends in that area, particularly Golden Hills and it is a genuine concern that there is no West Side Fire Station. I feel it is a matter of safety, plain and simple and this is something that should continue to be explored.
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
Concerning the School Budget, there is no real need to reduce spending but rather to assure the money is being spent wisely. Our teachers are the lowest paid in Massachusetts except for Georgetown, Lynn, N. Attleborough and Fall River. They are performing well and if they are not compensated, we will lose them to other towns.
How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
No answer provided.
What else do you think is important?
No answer provided.
Submitted: 10/27/1999
E-mail Address:
Current Positions Held / Political Experience
Currently a Precinct 9 Town Meeting Member (3 years)
Served as an Associate Planning Board Member (6 years)
Currently on the Saugus 2000 Celebration Committee
Served on the Pipeline Committee (now disbanded), etc.Current Occupation / Work Experience
Currently the President / Founder of Saugus.net, part time Boston University faculty member, and freelance computer consultant.
In the past, worked at Hewlett-Packard Medical and Siemens Medical Systems designing embedded software systems for medical devices; etc.Degrees Held / Education
MS in Artificial Intelligence, Dual BS in Physics & Mathematics. Certified in various things (too numerous to mention here). Graduate of Saugus High School (in fact, attended Saugus schools all the way through).
Currently A Member Of...
SAVE, the Saugus Historical Society, & the Saugus SETI team.
What are your feelings about preserving open space in Town?
Preserving what open space we have left is one of the biggest issues facing Saugus today. It is something that cannot be put off; once we've lost it, it's gone. The current patches of forest and wooded areas in town provide Saugus with its personality; we owe it to our children to preserve what's left.
Do you have any thoughts or plans for bringing the school system into the next century?
We should work at improving the computer networks and computer class content in the High School and Middle School, and should do whatever's possible to encourage academic excellence in math and the sciences. The future lies in these three areas. Note that as one computer professional, I personally don't think computers in every classroom is a good idea.
What do you think about tax rate overrides, tax increases, and having the Town borrow money?
The town should live within its means. It shouldn't be going back to the taxpayers for additional funding for every little thing. If funding to some programs / departments has to be reduced somewhat, so be it. We should make more effective use of what we have.
What are your thoughts on the West Side Fire Station?
The West Side Fire Station is necessary for the safety of the people in precincts 4, 7, and 9. No one disputes this fact. It has to be built, plain and simple. Even if it shares equipment with the other stations and is only manned when traffic requires it, or even if it requires some volunteer firefighter support, it is necessary.
Do you have any ideas as to how current government spending could be reduced (both Town & School side)?
This one is a tough one as I believe that most of the best opportunities are in the nitty gritty details. I believe a careful line item analysis of all budgets (especially the school one, the biggest of the lot) should provide good returns.
How would you prioritize the current issues facing the Town?
I guess balancing our budget comes in #1 with the preservation of open space / the environment #2. School and town facilities come in right after the first two, with special programs for both the young and old coming in next.
What else do you think is important?
We all have to work together to make a better Saugus. The next few years we're all going to have to make some sacrifices in order to maintain our essentials; it'll be best to start preparing and start organizing now.
Submitted: 10/12/1999
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