Town Meeting May 20

Town Elections May 21

Offices for election:

3 Year Term

• Moderator
• Select Board
• Board of Assessors
• Board of Health
• Sewer & Water Commissioner
• Parks & Recreation
• Tree Warden *

5 Year Term

• Planning Board
• Housing Authority

Candidates who have taken out and returned papers:

• Chuck Cardillo: Select Board Member
• Lisa Sauer: Select Board Member
• Eric Egan: Planning Board
• Gary Johnston: Moderator
• Carole Owens: Moderator
• Katie Szwyd: Parks and Recreation
• Nick Fredsall Parks & Recreation
• Anne Rabinowitz: Housing Authority
• Don Schneyer: Water and Sewer
• Dr. Charles Kenny: Board of Health
• Gary Pitney: Board of Assessors

*Tree Warden — The Select Board is considering an article on the Warrant to change Town Clerk and Tree Warden from elected to appointed positions. If the article passes at Town Meeting, then votes cast for this position will not be counted. However, it is unclear as of posting this issue if there is any candidate who returned papers. I hope both Lisa Bozzuto and Hugh Page are on the ballot and introduce themselves in SU.

Stockbridge Updates will spotlight all the candidates and invites all those running to send Stockbridge Updates the answers to The Candidates’ Q&A:

• What prompted you to run?
• If elected, what would be your primary focus?
• What would you like voters to know about you?

In addition, SU will offer space for The Candidates’ Opening statements and for the election season, there is no word limit anywhere in SU between now and Election Day.

There are three contested races, (Select Board, Moderator, and Parks and Rec) but even if you are running unopposed, send your answers and your statement to SU — introduce yourself to the voters. An informed electorate is the bedrock of democracy.

Gary Johnston

WHY AM I RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION AS STOCKBRIDGE TOWN MODERATOR?

I guess the best answer is to go back to 1977 when I first ran for the office of Stockbridge of Town Moderator. My predecessor, long time Stockbridge moderator Robert (Bob) Minkler, encouraged me to run and then endorsed my candidacy as he knew of my extensive background in parliamentary procedure. That began as a Williams High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) student and competitor in statewide parliamentary competitions. My involvement with the FFA continued after high school when as a freshman at UMass, I was elected president of the state association. In 1966, as president of the Massachusetts FFA, I served as a delegate at the national convention held in Kansas City, Missouri. While at the convention I championed the proposed change that would allow women to become members for the first time ever. Sadly, by a narrow vote, that opportunity was lost; however, I like to think we set the foundation for what took place the very next year when women were welcomed into the ranks of FFA. Additionally, I continued to share my passion for properly conducting meetings as a teacher at Monument Mountain Regional High School. 

I’ve always been interested in local town government and was inspired to seek out leadership positions when attending Boys State at the University of Massachusetts as a junior in high school. I had been trained and had extensive experience in running meetings from an early age. I wanted to contribute to the town in a manner that would be useful and coincide with my busy schedule running a local business with my Dad after I left teaching. 

Over the many years I have served the town as moderator, I have received numerous accolades both publically and privately. An appreciation of these many kind and encouraging comments has led me to continue seeking the office of moderator.

WHAT WOULD MY PRIMARY FOCUS BE?

I would not be inclined to suggest many changes. The moderator’s duties are very clearly delineated as to responsibilities of the office. This can be found in the booklet “Town Meeting Time”. In fact, this is an “official handbook of parliamentary law” developed especially for Massachusetts moderators. Initially published in 1962 and revised in 1983 and again in 2001, this guide has been prepared and amended under the auspices of the Massachusetts Moderators Association. Since “Town Meeting Time” is based on case law, it would seem foolish for any local town moderator to attempt to institute any changes to the responsibilities of the office. In fact, the authors repeatedly warned moderators to be very careful to stay within the guidelines of “Town Meeting Time”. Any errors that occur while during a town meeting can be a cause for the Attorney General of the Commonwealth to overturn any decisions that resulted. So my primary focus continues to be to run a clear, concise and fair town meeting. My opponent has reported that she has consulted with several other town moderators and has learned of some “tricks” to use as moderator. In my 46 years of running our town meetings, I assure you that I have never resorted to using any “tricks” in my efforts to complete the legal business of our town.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT ME

First and foremost, after 46 years in the office I fully understand the duties of moderator. The most important mindset that is needed to be an effective moderator is exactly that: moderation. To do the job properly, a moderator must set aside his or her own passions, politics and biases. Over the years I have purposely avoided attending most of the “baby town meetings” or any other public hearings where I might be tempted to form preconceived ideas regarding the issues on the town warrant. I also make a point of never attending finance committee meetings. Once I have made the appointment after careful research of the applicants’ resumes, I have complete faith that the committee can function professionally and effectively on their own. In fact, it is a town meeting rule that if the moderator wishes to address any issue in a debate form, he/she must step aside and pass the gavel on to another member of the meeting. Furthermore, when standing in front of the townspeople at the annual meeting, I have always made a special effort to call on every single person who wishes to address the assembly. I usually try to move on to a new speaker before returning to one who has already spoken. The exception would be when there is a direct question to a previous speaker or certain expertise is needed. 

Many townspeople have offered to allow me to place lawn signs with my name on their property. While I appreciate these kind offers, I have turned away from lawn signs because I believe they diminish the beauty of our wonderful town and; after 46 years as moderator, the vast majority of voters know who I am and what I am running for. Additionally, one of the greatest aids to recently come about is the use of voting clickers that turn every vote into a secret ballot, protecting the privacy of every voter. Lawn signs are counterproductive to this effort. 

I sense that my opponent has a misconception about the duties of the town moderator. Thus far, her rhetoric and that of her supporters seem to indicate that her intentions are better suited to run for an office other than the apolitical position of moderator.

I want to thank all those who have voted for me in the past and who went out of their way to compliment me on a job well done. As always, I encourage all town voters to exercise their right to vote and humbly ask for your support again this year.