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Challengers square off at annual debate
By R. J. GRUBB
STAFF WRITER
One is an idea man, the other pushes people-over-policy. Meet Mark Nelson and Daryn Marsh, the two challengers contending for the one open selectmen's seat that's up for grabs this April.
Monday night, at a live debate broadcast sponsored by Wilmington Community Television, the Wilmington League of Women's Voters and the Wilmington Advertiser, residents caught an up-close look at the candidates.
However, things got off to a shaky start as incumbent Bob Cain cancelled due to a family emergency, which is regrettable for the incumbent who has held the position since 1978.
Questions were asked of the candidates by Shawn Sullivan, a reporter for the Town Crier and Rick Thompson, editor for the Wilmington Advertiser. The debate was moderated by Town Moderator James Stewart.
Candidates were then given two minutes to respond.
Sullivan initiated the debate by asking a general why-run-for selectmen question.
Marsh answered first. And in his answer laid the core of his platform. "There hasn't been a residential perspective on the Board of Selectmen," he answered. "Someone who works 40-hour work weeks for someone else. I've spent my whole life serving others. What better way of living is there than to serve others?"
In a nut-shell, Marsh took aim at selectmen who have special interests or conflicting business interests. For example, selectmen who are business owners and who often vote on topics which are possible conflicts considering their professions. Marsh told the public again and again, that he has no special interest, only a residential interest.
It's clear that Marsh wants to extend a common-man approach. And he reminds voters of that throughout the debate.
Currently, Marsh is a full-time electrician with Local 103 and a pastor at the Wilmington Baptist Fellowship.
Nelson, however, in his fourth attempt at the office, employed a stricter ideological stand. First off, he attacked Bob Cain for hiking up the annual budget during his lengthy tenure from $38 million to $55 million and for "misleading" the public concerning the MBTA parking lot plan.
He called Cain's tenure a "mind-bogging disservice."
Calling an end to Cain's rule as selectman, he said, "Twenty-two years is enough of tax hikes and spending."
Nelson said that, "He can change [the mess that Cain wrought.] I can work closely with the MBTA and mend the bridges that have been burned."
Responding to a question on the MBTA project, Nelson explained that he thinks the project is "a good project. But that it has been the town's failure to interact with the MBTA and give and take with the MBTA" that has placed the town in a wait-and-see position.
As a union electrician, Marsh said that he is no stranger to the MBTA's "get-what-they-want" tactics. He acknowledged that the main problem today is mitigating traffic.
"What needs to be looked at now," he said "is the best way to widen [Main Street]. We lost Town Center, but we can push hard to make it look halfway decent."
The next question asked whether or not the candidates would be in support of warrant Article 38. Article 38 is a ballot question proposing the amendment of the Town Charter. In essence, it would change Town Meeting from open to representative.
The candidates differed on this issue.
Marsh opposed it because he believes it dilutes the power of an individual voice.
"Private interests can put in a foothold other than residents," he said. "[I encourage people to] speak your mind and have your voice, so everyone has a voice. Not just a select group"
Nelson differs in opinion. Which isn't surprising considering that Article 38 was his idea in the first place.
"The proper time and place in Wilmington is now for a representational form of government. It will force input from the entire town rather than a select community and it doesn't exclude individual participation," he said.
This coincides with Nelson's check-and-balance platform. Nelson advocates a change in town government whereby residents will be given more input into the town's future.
Much of the next thirty minutes, however, was spent in agreement as Nelson and Marsh supported residency requirements for all board members (regardless of board), a contract renewal with Reading Municipal Light stipulating that the contract be limited to a 5-year agreement as opposed to the current 20-year agreement and having smoking prohibited in restaurants. Their take on whether or not to fluoridate the town sounded very similar as well. Nelson thinks the question to fluoridate the town belongs as a ballot issue and not a question to be "decided by a chairman who doesn't even live in this town but for the people who actually drink the water."
Marsh thinks it's strictly "a personal issue."
"I'd vote it down and remind people they do have a choice [to fluoridate] through their personal dentist."
Perhaps different routes, but the same result is achieved.
Candidates than fielded a question about Wilmington's other critical issue - environmental contamination.
Nelson was eager to talk about it calling it a "great question." His four major concerns are Kelly Hill, Rocco's Dump, Olin Chemical, and 315 Main St. He appeared well-prepared as he briefly touched upon each hazardous site, identified the problem, and encouraged clean-up.Also, Nelson raised the issue of CarMart and a local resident's ongoing struggle with the Board of Selectmen to close CarMart due to nuisance violations. Nelson remarked that he would "suspend CarMart's license right now" or fine the business each day for failing to comply with their license. Again, he attacked what he views as the Board's current inability to work for residents' needs.
Regarding the town's present environmental crisis, Marsh replied that the "squeaky wheel gets the grease." He alluded to the idea that he'd simply pay close attention to problems. He said that he'd be "that nagging voice constantly asking [federal and state agencies] to do whatever they can do to solve the problem. Let them know you're serious," he said. "Local people will get things done."
Up to this point, the candidates look vaguely similar on issues. Except when they were asked to describe what "qualities" they will bring to the board.
"I want to give back," Marsh said. "I want to have an open phone-line. I'm not politically connected to anything. I want to bring the Board back to what is was meant to be: a public service job. Not a private service job."
You can see Marsh's appeal. His specialty is based on a combined history of helping others and an old-fashioned way of politicking through one-on-one interaction. On the other hand, Nelson answered that the "Board of Selectmen is more reactive then proactive. We need smart growth through proper planning."
From there he listed his ideas on rezoning Rocco's Dump and working with the town of Tewksbury towards clean-up, developing an affordable housing program (which would prevent larger developers from coming into town) to revitalizing and beautifying Silver Lake to building a new library in conjunction with restoring the Swain school and School Administration offices. Nelson advocates to raise funds by soliciting corporate funds from local companies such as Textron Systems or AGFA Corporation.
Their closing statements served to further differentiate the candidates.
"I will do my best to listen," Marsh said. "and to represent your opinions. Don't be afraid to call Daryn Marsh on Adams Street. My phone number is in the book. My phone will be an open line [to residents.] I don't have a business interest. I have a resident interest."
By proposing this one-on-one relationship with residents, Marsh hopes to forge loyal and familiar relationships. He offers a personal touch.As stated, Nelson is heavy on ideas. Often he couldn't get his ideas out in the allotted two minutes. During his closing statements, he directed residents to check out his Web site at http://www.nlsn.net. "If you want to know where I am coming from," he said. "visit my site."
The site doubles as the official Web site for the Wilmington Ballot Question Committee. And what you'll find on it is Nelson's proposed 17 ballot questions and 6 warrant articles. As the site boasts, he "promises to be a hands-on, proactive, full-time Selectmen." As a contrast to "that of the part-time, reactive, lame duck figurehead situation that currently exists."
Nelson's strong point is that he has big visions for town. On the other hand, while Marsh was scant on ideas, he was heavy on affability and building a family-like bond with voters. His personal touch may provide a useful model for re-engaging citizens.
Article from http://www.townonline.com/northwest/index.html
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