the Gazette's Article about Amherst Select Board Candidates

Select Board hopefuls address Amherst's future
By SCOTT MERZBACH Friday, October 17, 2008

AMHERST - Making difficult budget decisions that will not burden residents with higher taxes, but at the same time won't mean deep cuts to municipal services, is a theme echoed by all four candidates seeking a seat on the Select Board at the Nov. 4 elections.

At a forum Thursday at the middle school, sponsored by the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, candidates Vladimir Morales, David Keenan, Calvin Brower and Aaron Hayden discussed the challenges the town is facing in light of the economic woes in the state and on Wall Street.

Hayden, former chairman of the Planning Board, said he wants to keep town services intact, but also ensure that diverse populations can remain in the community. "We must not create a condition that will tax anyone out of town," he said.

Hayden stressed pursuing efficiencies in budgets, but noted it is too early to identify specific areas for cutting.

Calvin Brower, a six-year Town Meeting member, said Amherst should preserve what exists. "I support level services, which will require additional revenue," he said.

The schools, police, fire and public works should not see any cuts, Brower said. He suggested reducing spending in the golf course and town commemorations budgets.

Former Select Board member Keenan said he would oppose a Proposition 2½ override, which would lead Amherst toward becoming even more gentrified. Like Hayden, he wouldn't say where he would cut, though he expects the need to trim $2 million to $3 million.

Morales, a former School Committee member, said he too would oppose an override. Even so, he said he would focus on preserving and possibly expanding the good things about Amherst, including increasing library hours and maintaining the school budget. "We are going to have to fight to keep our schools decent and functioning," he said.

With grandchildren living in town, Morales said he would not cut teachers, human service funding, library hours or low-income assistance for recreation programs: "Everything else is on the table."

All four candidates spoke against Question 1, which would eliminate the state income tax.

The candidates addressed the so-called "Amherst factor," the complaint that the permitting and inspections process is too time-consuming and has prevented some businesses from coming to Amherst. Morales said he rejected the notion that this factor existed, but Keenan said Amherst's reputation was deserved despite the good work the building commissioners do.

Brower said streamlining permitting would help town revenues. Hayden said he worked to improve the relationship between the Planning Board and developers, and helped craft bylaws to allow for the development of projects such as New England Environmental's new headquarters.

Morales said his purpose in seeking the Select Board seat is to close the divide between those inside and outside the decision-making circle. "I am proud to live in this community, but I think we can do better," he said.

Quoting an old song, Keenan said he would work to eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive.

"My agenda is to build solutions by going out and calling up the president of Amherst College and see if he'll have coffee," he said.

Political activism has been important to Brower: he opposed the Vietnam War and nuclear power and supports environmental causes. "I've been an activist all my life for the people," he said.

Hayden said his agenda is to help all residents be heard. "I have worked very hard to engage the ideas and abilities of all the people I've worked with," he said.

The winner of the election will replace Anne Awad, who resigned in August, and serve until next spring's annual town elections.

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