Write-ins step up in M'boro
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| March 06, 2008 MOULTONBORO — In the wake of several charged meetings, three men have stepped forward to announce their intention to run as write-in candidates for the previously uncontested races of selectmen and moderator – Jim Castleberry, Al Hume, and Gary Torressen. Castleberry is running for the office of moderator, held by current Moderator Mel Borrin, and Hume and Torressen run for the two selectmen's seats held by Chairman Karel Crawford and Ed Charest. After recent selectmen's meetings and public hearings for the school and town, Castleberry, Hume, and Torressen said they were disturbed by the tone and actions of the current officials and now seek their seats. "I was very concerned that the tone and accusations leveled at the citizenry were not moderate," said Castleberry. "The tone of discourse has gotten ugly, and it pits citizen against citizen." | |||
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| Castleberry said that he had considered running for office earlier this winter, but given his young family and job, he decided against it. After the debate at recent SB2 hearings got a little heated at some points, Castleberry decided the time might be well-spent, and spoke with Torressen and Hume about running, even though the filing deadline had already passed. Though he acknowledges that his write-in campaign might well be a long-shot, Castleberry said his background in parliamentary procedure makes him a good candidate to become moderator for Moultonboro. Hume said that he was also troubled by recent events in Moultonboro town government, especially some decisions made by the Board of Selectmen. Hume, a member of the Moultonboro Citizens' Alliance, questioned the board's 4-1 decision to support a warrant article for funding an architectural and engineering study for the potential community/senior center after receiving a petition with roughly 300 signatures in support of the funding, noting that they had to be responsive to the community's demands. The board had previously rejected the expense of a community center and suggested that it be considered under better economic conditions. Hume noted that the board's decision to support the funding for the center studies came after the filing period was over, and contested the actual number of signatures from eligible Moultonboro residents. At the Town Clerk's office, Darcy Boyle said that she could not confirm the exact number of eligible Moultonboro residents. Given the number of petitions the town received this year, Boyle said, normal procedure was to confirm the necessary 25 signatures, and she confirms 30 to be on the safe side. Boyle did note that she did find 10 signatures that were not valid, but said there was no time to investigate all of the several hundred signatures. Because of this and several other incidents, Hume said he will run for the office of selectman. Among the first things he said he would like to see is an investigation of the land purchased by the town for the center, and would like to encourage greater resident participation in government. "If I was selectman, I would first ask if anyone new was coming to meetings," said Hume. "I'd congratulate them for being interested in the town and make sure people were not intimidated. I don't believe I'd be a bobbing head." Former State Representative Gary Torressen is used to elections – he's gone through several himself – though not as a write-in candidate. Still, Torressen said he wanted the residents of Moultonboro to have some more choice when they step into the voting booths next week. "I'm running for many reasons, but primarily because I feel Moultonboro deserves a choice in elected officials," said Torressen. "I believe everyone has the right to vote, and though our current selectmen feel otherwise, I support SB2." Chief among Torressen's concerns is government spending in the current economic condition. With rising fuel and utility prices, Torressen said he was concerned that some capital projects might "hurt those they are intended to benefit" through higher taxes. Though he considered running before the filing period was over, Torressen said that with a young family, he was less inclined to run. Like Hume and Castleberry, when the selectmen changed their minds on the community/senior center after the presentation of the petition, Torressen said that he was moved to run as a write-in. He also supports the SB2 form of government, and said that he believes it is the fairest form of government available today. "With SB2, people have a better say in how the town is run and their taxes are spent," said Torressen. "To me, democracy was founded on the right to vote. The current form worked well years ago, but there are people who just can't make Town Meeting. I feel strongly about their right to have their say." | |
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