Leon Correy
Dear Fairhaven,
Over the past year we’ve been on a rough road together. We’ve endured a pandemic, a social uprising, an attack on the White House, Selectmen meeting drama and bickering, a recall, and most recently a battle over interdepartmental financial transparency (the football field). It’s been a year like no other. It took a year like this for many to get involved and recognize the need for change in the town.
I am here to personify that change. I represent progress. Some of you have asked if progress means so politically. According to Miriam Webster’s third definition, “gradual betterment” is how I intend progress.
I am here to ask for the opportunity to serve the people of Fairhaven so that I can help the town gradually get better in the way you want it to do so. This isn’t about my vision for the town, it’s yours. My opinions of what Fairhaven can be are irrelevant if they aren’t yours also. I am here to serve you. I don’t have a history or obligations. I have my desire to serve the people and finally give the quiet majority a voice.
It’s time we put Fairhaven First. Fairhaven First means we put the town of Fairhaven ahead of our personal agendas. We choose to serve the people of Fairhaven. It’s not about relationships, friendships, or who we used to eat lunch with at school. This is about our town that we all love. It’s time we do what’s best for our little “best kept secret on the cape”.
Over the past year we’ve endured so much. But we got through that together. Give me the opportunity to serve you and give the town back to you. Not to one side or another. This is me asking to return the town to its owner.
My Name is Leon Correy and I am asking for the opportunity to serve you as a member of the Fairhaven Select Board. I have presented myself to you in a sincere, transparent fashion. This hasn’t been me just during the campaign process. This is me every day so you know it will continue to be me.
I will also be here to answer your questions and own my actions. I will stand tall and own my mistakes. I will fight for what you feel is best for the town rather than my own feelings or wishes. I will fight to make sure this is the Fairhaven you love and are proud of.
Sincerely Yours, Leon E Correy III
On July 26 vote Yes and vote for the first candidate Leon E Correy II
Cameron Durant
As the Special Election draws close, voters will soon decide how to restore cohesive operations, a respectful culture, and a sense of leadership to Town Hall. I am excited to be a part of that change by bringing my experience to the Select Board.
My past two terms on the Board of Public Works have been a great source of pride. Not every resident has business at Town Hall, or a child in the school system, but they do turn on their faucet each day. Managing the BPW’s nearly $10 million dollar operating budget, and this year’s $10 million dollars’ worth of capital projects, is the experience necessary for success on the Select Board. The BPW too was once contentious, and I am proud of how I contributed towards making the group a more respectful and collaborative entity. I know I can contribute towards a more harmonious public discourse in this new role.
My chief priority when elected will be to restart the Town Administrator search. As an Operations Manager and SHRM-CP certified HR professional, I have the experience to ensure a transparent and independent process. I am proud of my hiring decisions at the BPW, recognizing quality talent to promote our devoted employees to successful Superintendents.
In selecting a new Town Administrator candidate, I am looking for something more than the mere ability to balance spreadsheets. My greatest concerns will be their management experience and past creativity in generating new revenue for the Town. This individual will be key in restoring the residents’ trust in our municipal government.
For Fairhaven to continue offering quality services to the greatest number of people, we must overcome the financial challenges that are ahead. The federal government has mandated a $50 million upgrade to our sewer treatment facility in order to remove nitrogen from our outflow into the harbor. Also, our current joint police and fire station is near obsolete. Mold and lack of space will force the Town to soon build a new public safety complex that will cost in excess of $50 million dollars.
With nine figure borrowing on the horizon, I believe I am the candidate with the responsible record to navigate through this challenging time.
During the pandemic, when the Town’s 2020 fiscal forecast was uncertain, the School Committee backed spending $1.2 million dollars from reserve cash to fund a new football field. The issue is not that the project happened, but the methodology behind its approval. Instead of examining how local receipts would be affected by the COVID economy and using historically low interest rates to borrow for the project at the next Town Meeting, we moved too quickly. Our Town now has less cash on hand to face the challenges that are ahead. I promise to be responsible with each and every tax dollar, as these funds come from our hard-working residents that I am elected to protect.
I know together we can return Fairhaven to a community where government is run on collaboration and communication rather than animosity. We can be a town of inclusion rather than discord. I cannot promise a world where we all agree on the right course of action to take. But I can promise to always do what I believe is right, to remain the independent person that I have proven to be on the BPW, and to continue to offer the highest level of engagement for every resident who reaches out for support. I thank the Town for the consideration and humbly ask for your vote on July 26.
Stasia Powers
Fairhaven has been my home for twenty-two years. I am running for Select Board because I love serving the people in this community; from the families I’ve met on the playground, friends I’ve made on the pickleball court, people I’ve chatted with while the kids were in Sunday School or playing sports, to those I haven’t met but have stood in line with at Stop & Shop. When elected, I have many plans that I am excited to put in place for our community, including:
Town Administrator My first order of business is to restart the Town Administrator search process to hire the experienced visionary leader this town deserves. The selection committee should be chosen by the impartial Town Moderator and include representatives from boards and committees along with community members. They will then make recommendations to the Selectboard, who will ultimately choose the final candidate.
Communication is key to public support and consensus. The community needs to hear the truth from its elected representatives and needs to be involved. I have worked hard with the school committee and administration to make sure communication goes both ways. I take pride in my availability to hear issues and answer questions and will continue to be available to discuss ideas and concerns with anyone.
Fiscal Responsibility My 14 year record of setting the budget for the largest department in Fairhaven demonstrates my fiscal responsibility. With zero-based budgeting and cooperation, we have consistently worked with the town to stay within the recommended guidelines for increases. We have worked hard to not only rein in spending but to improve the educational program and increase revenues. As a result, the majority of Acushnet students choose to attend Fairhaven High School and the revenue from Acushnet students has grown from $800,000 to $2.7 million.
External Review I support participation in the Department of Revenue Review. The DOR audit will provide an unbiased review of our town’s financial practices and priorities to ensure we are efficient and following best practices.
Leadership I will work to encourage a new generation of leaders willing to serve on boards and committees.
Housing We should increase the amount of quality housing available in Fairhaven. Housing is needed for seniors and for our young adults who wish to move out of their family home and stay in Fairhaven.
Business Making Fairhaven one of the best places to do business is a priority. We need to proactively market the benefits of doing business in Fairhaven. We should also make it more welcoming for small businesses to open and operate because this will help fill our empty storefronts and provide opportunities for our community members to shop locally.
Open Space As we develop the economic and housing opportunities in our community we must also plan for the preservation of open space. This is important for conservation of our water supply, the health of Buzzards Bay, and in preparation for eventual sea level rise.
Quality of Life In addition, a plan for Fairhaven’s future must include more initiatives that improve our way of life and lower the cost of living here. Projects like solar panels on the school buildings, municipal broadband, safe bike routes projects, and new recreational facilities are some of the innovative ideas that can help move our town forward in positive ways.
When elected I look forward to working with you. If you would like to know more about these or other issues, contact me at: stasiapowersselectboard@gmail.com
I ask for your vote on July 26 for Select Board.
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